[1] On 4 March 2021, the institute was officially launched as the 16th National University of Sri Lanka by president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Initially located on his personal land in Yakkala, the institute aimed to impart knowledge and expertise in herbal drug preparation and traditional medical practices to physicians.

It boasted a drug manufacturing unit, hospital facilities, and a herbal garden with a rare collection of plants at its inception.

[5] Recognizing the evolving landscape of Ayurvedic medicine and its significant contributions to the national health sector, the vidyalaya attained state recognition in 1951.

In 1982, the Vidyalaya was reconstituted as the Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute under the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine through Parliamentary Act No.

In Sri Lanka, the evaluation by the Ministry of Health ensures that such programs meet national standards and contribute effectively to the healthcare sector's development.