By Mewati Sitaram
In a historic first, Sri Lanka observed the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 across 113 Ayurveda hospitals, including teaching and research institutions in all nine provinces. Organised jointly by the Department of Ayurveda under the Ministry of Health and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural wing of the High Commission of India in Colombo, the yoga sessions were held on Thursday, June 19, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Four universities also joined this landmark initiative.
The main 11th IDY celebration will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 6:30 AM at Independence Square, Colombo. Simultaneous events are also scheduled in Jaffna, Kandy, and Hambantota, spearheaded by Indian diplomatic missions, reinforcing yoga’s growing relevance in Sri Lanka.
The Department of Ayurveda, a central institution promoting traditional and indigenous medicine, has integrated yoga as a vital aspect of holistic wellness in its educational and healthcare approach. This year’s IDY marks the first time the entire network of Ayurveda hospitals participated in a unified observance, highlighting Sri Lanka’s commitment to traditional health systems and preventive care.
The SVCC supported the initiative by providing yoga mats, instructional literature, and curated video content to all participating centres, ensuring smooth and meaningful celebrations.
The theme for IDY 2025, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflects the interconnectedness of human and planetary well-being. Endorsed globally, the message underscores yoga’s role in promoting harmony between body, mind, and environment.
Inspired by PM Modi’s 2014 UN proposal, International Yoga Day is now a global movement, uniting Sri Lanka’s Ayurveda network.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
