“At Least Two Weeks” – Dr. Upul on Ayurveda, Panchakarma and What European Guests Really Need
Dr. Upul Rajapaksha is chief physician at Thaulle Resort in Sri Lanka and has practised as an Ayurveda doctor for over 25 years. In this interview, he explains how a medically guided Ayurveda cure works, why Panchakarma requires at least two weeks, which complaints bring European guests to Sri Lanka – and why one week of Ayurveda is not enough.
Dr. Upul Rajapaksha has led the Ayurveda centre at Thaulle Resort on Yoda Lake since 2015. Registered with the Ayurveda Medical Council of Sri Lanka, specialised in Panchakarma at the University of Kerala in India, and awarded the honorary title of “Vaidyaabimani”. He has treated over 3,000 European guests throughout his career. We spoke with him about his path, the daily routine of an Ayurveda cure and the most common questions European guests ask.
How Does One Become an Ayurveda Doctor in Sri Lanka?
An Ayurveda doctor in Sri Lanka completes a five-year university programme plus a practical year – comparable to international medical standards. Only after meeting these requirements may they practise independently, within an organisation or in a state medical facility. The programme combines traditional methods with modern medical certification. Dr. Upul studied from 1990 to 1996 at the faculty of Ayurveda medicine in Sri Lanka.
He then specialised in Panchakarma at the University of Kerala in India and in yoga, meditation and Kshara Suthra at the University of Kelaniya. He also completed training in acupuncture and homoeopuncture. Ayurveda is a family tradition for Dr. Upul: his father is a renowned Ayurveda doctor, and his brother and wife are also qualified Ayurveda practitioners.
“My father inspired me to reach a high level in the field of Ayurveda,” he says. After completing his degree, he practised as a general physician in Sri Lanka and subsequently spent one year in Germany as a doctor for Ayurveda and acupuncture. This was followed by years as a consulting Ayurveda physician in prestigious hotels and resorts catering to European guests.
What Makes Ayurveda Treatment at Thaulle Different?
Treatments at Thaulle combine classical Ayurveda with the traditional medical philosophies of Sri Lanka. All applications, medication and meals are individually tailored to the guest – based on Dosha type, symptoms, constitution and personal preferences.
The entire team is briefed on each guest’s therapy plan. Dr. Upul describes it this way: “This process is more difficult to implement, as it requires a high level of dedication from both the guest and the facility.” In practice, this means: once the individual therapy plan is established, the entire team – therapists, kitchen, yoga teachers – is briefed. Every element works together.
Medication, treatments, nutrition, yoga and meditation are not offered as isolated components but as one coherent treatment concept.
Guests at Thaulle receive at least five treatments per day at the Ayurveda centre – and more depending on individual needs.
What Does a Typical Day During an Ayurveda Cure Look Like?
A cure day at Thaulle begins with yoga and meditation between 6:30 and 8:30 AM. This is followed by breakfast, the daily Ayurveda treatments according to the individual plan, Dosha-tailored beverages, lunch and dinner. In the evening, guests receive their treatment schedule for the following day.
The daily routine in detail:
- Morning: Yoga and meditation in the meditation hall. Ayurveda guests have one hour, yoga guests up to ninety minutes. If desired, an additional session can take place in the evening – at Kirrinda Beach or at one of the nearby temples.
- Late morning to afternoon: Breakfast between 7:00 and 10:30 AM. Ayurveda treatments follow the individual sequence of the therapy plan. Before lunch, Dosha-tailored beverages are served – by the pool, in the restaurant, in the garden areas or as room service.
- Once a week: Introduction to Ayurveda philosophy and a demonstration of traditional Sri Lankan Ayurveda cuisine.
- Evening: Dinner from 7:00 PM in the hotel gardens. At the same time, treatment plans for the following day are distributed. Dr. Upul and the management team are present at dinner to answer questions and gather feedback. The doctor and team are available around the clock.
- Night rest: Guests are encouraged to finish dinner by 10:00 PM to ensure a restful night. Between treatments, excursions are also possible – to Yala National Park, Kataragama Temple or Kirrinda Beach.
What Conditions Does an Ayurveda Cure Help With?
The most common reasons European guests come to Thaulle for an Ayurveda cure are burnout, depression, insomnia, arthritis, skin conditions such as psoriasis, detoxification and weight management. Dr. Upul creates an individual therapy plan for each starting point.
Dr. Upul describes his guests: “Most of them are either working professionals in mid-life, retirees or elderly people. They come to us with a wide variety of complaints.” The spectrum ranges from acute stress symptoms such as burnout and sleep disorders to chronic conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis.
Guests seeking fundamental detoxification or weight management also find the right framework at Thaulle. Learn more about Ayurveda for exhausted high performers.
What Guests Can Achieve with an Ayurveda Cure – Two Examples
Therapeutically meaningful results are possible when guests follow the Ayurveda recommendations consistently. Dr. Upul emphasises: success depends not only on the treatments but also on the willingness to commit to the process. Two cases from his practice illustrate this.
A guest with severe psoriasis: He had previously undergone several treatments without success – both conventional and Ayurvedic.
The condition had significantly affected his self-esteem and led to professional and personal limitations. After one week at Thaulle, clear improvements became visible. He stayed for a total of three weeks to gain the maximum benefit.
Dr. Upul provided recommendations to maintain the effects for approximately one year. A European guest for weight management: Within five weeks, he reduced his weight by 15 kilograms. Dr. Upul contextualises both cases: “This enormous success was only possible because the patients followed the Ayurveda rules completely.”
How Long Should a Panchakarma Cure Last?
Dr. Upul recommends at least two weeks for a Panchakarma cure. Three weeks is ideal. This timeframe is necessary to complete all three phases: pre-treatment, main treatment and post-treatment. A one-week cure is not sufficient for therapeutically meaningful results according to Dr. Upul.
“I would not recommend a one-week treatment unless it is only part of a wellness holiday,” says Dr. Upul clearly.
“After such a short time, no positive benefit can yet be achieved.” For a complete Panchakarma – meaning detoxification, treatment and stabilisation – the body needs time.
Only from two weeks onwards do all three phases work together effectively. On the question of how often a cure should be repeated, Dr. Upul’s answer is equally clear: “Ideally once a year. It is even more effective when the guest also follows a healthy lifestyle and nutrition plan between stays.” Detailed information on duration and pricing is available on the prices page.
Can Ayurveda Help Healthy People Too?
Yes. Ayurveda pursues two goals: healing and prevention. Panchakarma is used both for existing complaints and for prevention. Dr. Upul recommends starting prevention as early as possible – before complaints become chronic. There is no age limit for Ayurveda treatment.
Dr. Upul explains the mechanism through the Dosha model: “A serious illness occurs when the three Doshas accumulate in a negative way and mutate through six stages. If we interrupt this process at stage one, we achieve significantly better results.”
His conclusion is pragmatic: “It is better to start with the recommended plan before the first stage has even been reached.” For healthy people, this means: a Panchakarma cure strengthens the immune system, prevents complaints and creates a conscious starting point for a healthier lifestyle.
Why Yoga and Meditation Are Part of Every Ayurveda Cure
Dr. Upul views yoga and meditation not as optional extras but as integral parts of the cure. Ayurveda balances the three physical Doshas – yoga and meditation balance the three mental categories. A clear mind is a prerequisite for physical healing, he explains.
“To follow Ayurveda treatments, a healthy lifestyle and the nutrition plan requires discipline, dedication and a clear mind,” Dr. Upul explains. “Meditation and yoga help achieve this state.” At Thaulle, yoga and meditation are therefore a fixed part of every cure day.
Mornings in the meditation hall, and if desired in the evenings at special locations around Yoda Lake.
