It is considered to be the top most medical faculty in the country which requires the highest entry qualification in GCE Advanced Level examination.

In the 1860s the Colonial Surgeon, Dr. James Loos was requested to report on the large depopulation of the Wanni.

In 1875 Mudaliyar Samson Rajapakse gifted three and a half acres of land on which the present Faculty is located.

In 1887, the Diploma of Licentiate of Medicine and Surgery (LMS) granted by the College became registrable with the General Medical Council (GMC) of the United Kingdom.

Dr. W.R. Kynsey served as Principal Civil Medical Officer (PCMO) between 1875 and 1897 and contributed much towards the college in its early years.

The Faculty at present provides for the education and training of undergraduates in allied health sciences.

In addition courses ranging from medico-legal sciences to those in medical education are regularly conducted.

The Faculty has close links with several hospitals for teaching, training, clinical services and research.