Unani System of Medicine was academically established along with the Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine at the College of Indigenous Medicine in 1929. Since then it has been playing a major role in teaching and preserving the Unani System of Medicine in Sri Lanka. It is located adjoining the border of heritage administrative capital Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte of Sri Lanka. Later, it was affiliated to the University of Colombo in 1977. The academic unit of Ilmul Advia (academic unit of Unani pharmacology) of the Unani Section offers subjects of Kulliyath e Advia, MufratAdvia, DawaSazi,andKusthaSazi , which spread over Level I, Level II and Level III.  These subjects are essential components of the BUMS curriculum. Further it offers Nutrition and Food cum Medicine, Industrial Drug Manufacturing and Agro Techniques of Medicinal plants as optional subjects which support and strength the Ilmul Advia. The academic unit strives hard to maintain academic excellence in all areas of studies of the academic unit. In addition, the academic unit also engages in Community Development Programmes such as conducting awareness programs, workshops and other activities.

Objectives of Academic unit

To contribute to the development of a well-rounded Unani medical graduates who will demonstrate knowledge and competent with compassion in dealing with primary health care, desire for lifelong learning, evidence base practice and interdisciplinary team work in order to improve and sustain the health of the population.

To ensure that the medical graduate has acquired broad preventive health competencies needed to solve health problems of the community with the emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, and cost-effective holistic interventions utilizing indigenous medical knowledge.