The Audio Visual Unit was established in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in 1999 as the first ever Sri Lankan Audio Visual Unit (AVU) dedicated to medical education, to support the medical undergraduate curriculum of the faculty, by means of producing audio video materials to supplement the regular teaching and learning activities. Over the last few years the unit has produced many video films on various subjects to facilitate the learning activities of medical undergraduates, The unit supports all staff members to produce AV materials needed for their teaching activities. In addition, we help to boost the research capabilities by supporting the academic staff, in their research publications and orations.

Professor Shyam Fernando established the unit and was the founder Head of AVU till he stepped down in 2005. The unit has grown technically from analog and manual editing system to a digital recording unit with nonlinear editing using modern software. The unit produces still and motion picture material for teaching purposes through a dedicated, skillfull technical staff.

Apart from preparing teaching material for undergraduate studies, the unit produces educational material for the public of broadcasting quality, and covers social events of the university. It has now become an income generating unit to the university.