The Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine was one of the founding departments of the faculty at its inception. Since its establishment, the department has played a key role in undergraduate medical education by developing the core competencies and professional attitudes required of competent and responsible early-career medical practitioners. These include practice-based learning, systems-based practice, communication skills, professionalism, and the use of digital health approaches.

The department places strong emphasis on biomedical research and evidence-based practice, encouraging students to critically evaluate scientific literature and actively engage in research activities. Through its teaching and training programmes, the department promotes a comprehensive understanding of public health principles enabling students to address the social, behavioral, and environmental determinants of health and to contribute effectively to disease prevention and health promotion at individual, family, and community levels.

The department consists of two disciplines: Community Medicine and Family Medicine. Community Medicine focuses on the science and art of preventing disease and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of individuals, communities and society. Family Medicine equips students with the knowledge and skills required to apply the principles of medicine in the management of patients at the primary care level. Together, these disciplines ensure that graduates develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes to promote health, prevent disease, and work collaboratively with healthcare professionals and community agencies for the benefit of both individuals and the wider community.

In addition to its teaching responsibilities, the department actively contributes to strengthening the research culture of the faculty by facilitating undergraduate research projects and encouraging student involvement in research activities. Through the Public Health Rotation Programme and Family Attachment Project, students gain practical experience and exposure to public health services in the country, enabling them to understand community health needs, primary healthcare delivery, disease prevention strategies, and the functioning of the public health system within real-world settings.

Staff of the department is involved in diverse research projects and outside the faculty we contribute to teaching in the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Postgraduate institute of Medical Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Provincial Training Centre, Provincial Department of Health Services, North Western Province.