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10 Ruhuna Arts Student’s Annual Sessions (RASAS) -2025
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Perceptions of Safety and Effectiveness in Traditional Medicine: A Qualitative
Study in Katuwana, Sri Lanka

W.G.A.K.M. Hasanjalee
Department of Economics, University of Ruhuna
Hasanjaleekaveesha0@gmail.com
ABSTRACT

This qualitative research paper focuses on the understanding of the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine

among the dwellers of Katuwana in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The traditions of medicine in this area
are quite diverse and include various practices such as herbal medicine, witchcraft, hadi huniyam, gurukam,
sacrificial offerings, and bali thovil. The indigenous knowledge- and culture-based systems of healing have

been passed down through generations and have been used mostly to heal chronic diseases, osteoporosis, eye
problems, and snakebites. The methods used in this research include semi-structured interviews and two focus

group discussions with 5 participants each to collect data from both traditional healers and patients in the
Katuwana region. A sample size of 25 respondents, consisting of 8 traditional medicine practitioners and 10
residents or patients, was considered sufficient for theoretical saturation. This study employed purposive

sampling to select participants deemed knowledgeable about or experienced in traditional medicine. The
collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The purpose of thematic analysis is to identify, analyze,
and report patterns within data. The results illustrate that traditional medicine can be viewed as a more holistic,

cheaper, and more culturally specific approach compared to modern medicine. Most people opt to use natural
medicines because they are afraid of the side effects of synthetic medications. People also regard traditional
medicine as a cultural practice which links individuals to their past knowledge. The research also highlights

the lack of official records, scientific confirmation, and compatibility with the contemporary medical system
as problematic areas in the perception of its effectiveness. It suggests that such a traditional body of knowledge

should be preserved and propagated appropriately through research and validation while combining it with the
existing forms of medicine. This approach would promote sustainable development of a culturally responsive
healthcare system in Sri Lanka, which treats the indigenous medicine tradition with the necessary respect.

Keywords: cultural beliefs, efficiency perceptions, health care perceptions, traditional knowledge, traditional
medicine

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