Gastroenterology is the study of the digestive tract which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine as well as the hepatobiliary system which includes the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas.

It involves a detailed understanding of the normal function (physiology) of the gastrointestinal organs including the movement of material through the stomach and intestine (motility), the digestion and absorption of nutrients into the body, removal of waste products and the function of the liver and pancreas as the digestive organs.

It includes common and important conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastro esophageal reflux disease (heart burn), dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), altered bowel habits including loose stools and constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Overt bleeding from digestive tract as hematemesis, melaena, bleeding per rectum, iron deficiency anaemia due to gastrointestinal occult blood loss,  colon polyps and cancer, cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver, gallbladder and biliary tract disease, pancreatitis,  nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption.

In essence, all normal activity and disease of the digestive organs is part of the study of Gastroenterology.

A gastroenterologist is a specialist with expertise in the disorders and diseases that affect the digestive system.

The District general hospital Chilaw is conducting Gastroenterology and hepatology clinics and providing endoscopy services for the patients who are suffering from gastrointestinal diseases including acute bleeding of GIT in addition to the inward care.