Abolish SAITM: JHU

3 July 2017 12:46 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today urged the government to abolish the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) without further delay.

JHU General Secretary and Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka said there was no need to await the Supreme Court ruling and a proper methodology introduced by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to mete out justice to the students who had been enrolled.

He said the students who had the required Z-score should be given proper theoretical and clinical training to become qualified medical practitioners while those with lower qualifications should have the monies paid refunded or they should be assigned to some other positions in the medical field.

The minister said the Neville Fernando Hospital should be acquired by the government and assigned to another state university.

“The Moratuwa University hopes to establish a medical faculty. So this hospital could be assigned to it,” he told a news conference. “This issue cannot be resolved on the road. It can only be resolved with the assistance of the SLMC."

He said about 7,000 medical students and about 5,000 students who had completed the final examinations and undergoing clinical practice had boycotted lectures because of the ongoing crisis and added that they should be given priority.

The minister said former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was the main cause of this problem and added that neither Maithripala Sirisena nor Ranil Wickremesinghe nor Neville Fernando were responsible for the SAITM controversy.

“It is Mr. Rajapaksa who has to be blamed. When I objected to SAITM in 2012, he asked me to discuss it with the then higher education minister S.B. Dissanayake. We realised that his plan was to launch SAITM and feel the pulse of the people and then launch three other such universities under Basil Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa,” he said.

The minister said SLMC Chairman Carlo Fonseka should continue in office at least until this issue was resolved.

When asked whether the JHU raised this matter at the cabinet meeting he said he could not talk about what was discussed at Cabinet meetings.

When asked whether the JHU was opposed all government proposals on this matter, he said they were agreeable to acquiring the Neville Fernando Hospital but were opposed to placing SAITM in the stock market because it was against the good governance to sell education. (Ajith Siriwardana)

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Comments - 18

Aku Monday, 03 July 2017 05:07 PM

I vote for SAITM and for more such institutes... Abolish the JHU and JVP instead....

naradha Tuesday, 04 July 2017 07:59 PM

JHU, the party with 2 people in the parliament. Who cares of what he says.

Jayasri Tuesday, 04 July 2017 07:22 PM

Don't try to hide your bankruptcy by diverting peoples attention

Aruna Tuesday, 04 July 2017 12:59 PM

Looks like turnaround to MR. However its skeptical if MR accepts you with all your garbage character.

Blair Monday, 03 July 2017 09:01 PM

Minister, you are an engineer ,I believe. Why don't you propose to abolish all degree awarding private engineering institutes too. Why don't you resign if you cannot take collective responsibility of the CABINET.

sg Monday, 03 July 2017 07:59 PM

Better to resign from the government and joint with opposition parties and fight against for SAITM..ha ha ha that is the real voice ..

K.K.Perera Monday, 03 July 2017 05:24 PM

Don't tell this to the public.You are a responsible Minister.Tell this matter with in the Cabinet or resign.

ceylon Monday, 03 July 2017 05:12 PM

why didnt say this when mahinda established it .this is a garbage. via DM Android App

ceylon Monday, 03 July 2017 05:11 PM

this man has serious criminal chargess.using cabinet power he escaped from justice. via DM Android App

suresh Monday, 03 July 2017 01:26 PM

then why don't you also abolish all private hospitals and assign it to the NH

MP Monday, 03 July 2017 04:50 PM

What this minister says is correct.

Thanos Monday, 03 July 2017 04:28 PM

What about the time lost? Just refunding the money is not enough. They must be compensated for lost time.

De Silva Monday, 03 July 2017 04:28 PM

Cabinet has already taken a decision. If Ranawaka cannot agree leave the Govt. and then start making public statement.

Ram Monday, 03 July 2017 03:47 PM

Champika, first resign from your portfolio as the cabinet is for SAITM and you are the only one opposed.

BUSHEL Monday, 03 July 2017 03:13 PM

SIR U R RITE. ABOLISH AND BRING PEACE

Leo Monday, 03 July 2017 02:00 PM

While your at it pass a motion that forbids anyone going overseas for treatment. via DM Android App

surendran Monday, 03 July 2017 01:49 PM

Abolish Private practice as well

Maramandai Monday, 03 July 2017 01:41 PM

Why don't you ban - private schools which gives education only to the privileged few in the country. - Private tuition classes only affordable by the middle class and above

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Abolish SAITM: JHU

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