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SLMC has no option than accepting SAITM now: Kiriella

9 February 2017 02:53 am - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government yesterday said the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has no option other than accepting SAITM as a fully qualified private medical college now that the Court of Appeal has given a clear ruling in favour of it.

Higher Education and Highways Minister Laxaman Kiriella told the weekly cabinet news briefing in Parliament that the government would fully honour the Court of Appeal ruling on the South Asia Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) issue and intervene to provide full facilities at State hospitals for medical students of SAITM to undergo clinical training as giving clinical training to SAITM students was the crux of the protest by the GMOA and medical students of State medical colleges.

“I am glad that the Court of Appeal has given a ruling on this issue ordering the SLMC to identify SAITM as a medical degree awarding institution and accept medical degrees offered by SAITM. But if the President of the SLMC Dr. Carlo Fonseka agrees to my request to give SAITM students provisional registration in order to arrive to a peaceful settlement to the SAITM controversy, no one would have been in this predicament today,” Minister Kiriella said.

Minister Kiriella added that the SAITM students must also sit the Act 16 examination like any other medical student who obtains an MBBS degree from any medical college other than a government medical college to maintain the quality and standard of the medical profession.

The Court of Appeal judgement is very clear that the SAITM students have a right to get provisional registration by SLMC and therefore, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health to provide clinical training facilities to SAITM medical students because they are also our own children. They have missed the medical college entrance not because of their fault but due to the District Ratio. That is why a student in Colombo fails to enter medical college even with three ‘A’ passes at the GCE A/L while a student in Monaragala enters the medical college with two B passes and a C pass.

“Is it a crime to give an opportunity to our own student to study at a private medical college, obtain proper clinical training and experience and pass the MBBS and obtain provision registration at the SLMC?” Minister Kirielle asked.

Minister Kiriella said the Higher Education Ministry would set up two more medical faculties in Rajarata and Wayamba Universities shortly to train more doctors and give permits to open foreign universities that offer IT, Engineering, Accountancy and Medical degrees.

Don’t forget that it was a UNP government that introduced free education to the country and therefore we have no intention whatsoever to weaken free education. But we must go forward with demands of the free world and requirements of the modern society. There are vast opportunities for new vistas of education and we must look at them in a positive mind but not with malice, hate and vengeance, Minister Kiriella stressed.

He said if any one is against the opportunity given to SAITM he or she must appeal to the Supreme Court settle the issue there and until then the government consider SAITM is a duly established medical degree awarding institute and its students have a right to apply for provisional registration at SLMC. (Sandun A Jayasekera)


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  Comments - 25

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  • Nevil Thursday, 09 February 2017 09:07 AM

    This is not about tackling GMOA/Anthare.It is a separate issue.This is about making doctors using court orders.Do not you think it is unethical? Does the court/minister have ability to assess a profession?It can be done only via consulting the professional body.This is what happened to Sri Lanka.They always claim about political interference. But, when they need to revenge people,they sit with politic ions.

    bandu Thursday, 09 February 2017 07:56 PM

    So you want to stop all other children who earn similar results gets the due education by paying for it,

    MS Thursday, 09 February 2017 06:26 PM

    Which world? GMOA doctors are living in a world of their own.

    sanji Thursday, 09 February 2017 06:16 PM

    Can a student from Maradan who is unable to obtain required marks from colombo due to district level cut off marks ..pay such a huge amount to SITAM and obtain a medical degree ..wealthy can not consider as a favoring factor to be a doctor ... via DM Android App

    Selvyn Thursday, 09 February 2017 05:50 PM

    Its time for the people to unite and rise against the common enemy the GMOA the heartless quacks to voice our protest. via DM Android App

    ananda Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:50 PM

    The health minister must give an order to implement the court decision. .If the GMOA disrupts the process they are on contempt of court. via DM Android App

    Rodrigo Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:36 PM

    Oh God Save the lives of innocent patients. via DM Android App

    mohan1986 Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:36 PM

    This is very true. Many students pay money for low/no quality undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (other than Medicine). No qualified full time academic staff. They are also Sri Lankan.

    awfar Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:35 PM

    The quality of professionals can be managed by the government in many ways- but not the way stopping the people by getting special knowledge in any institute.

    awfar Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:20 PM

    well said, sir, " is it a crime to give an opportunity to our own student ?". But it is a crime those who oppose getting the education in any forums.

    ravin Thursday, 09 February 2017 03:40 PM

    What you do not know/realised is general public have a option of change you.

    Lakshan Thursday, 09 February 2017 12:50 PM

    Can examinations department conduct this GMOA exam? We cant expect impartial test for SAITAM students.

    Karu Thursday, 09 February 2017 12:13 PM

    This is wrong information. SAITM does student with 3 'S' for medical studies

    Wijebahu Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:46 AM

    Well said Mr Kiriella. we need politicians with bowles to tackle this GMOA Mafia and Anthare terrorists.

    mangala wimalasooriya Thursday, 09 February 2017 08:53 AM

    I can't see any issue regrading(SAITM) , if UGC can follow the selection process for MBBS (Exams)as they do in other medical Faculties.It is irrelevant whether you come from a different stream, needed to study medicine through. Then you can filter the cream out of all.

    mal Thursday, 09 February 2017 08:42 AM

    When children are studying hard to get 3 'A' to enter medicine, SAITM is promoting those with 3'S' to obtain MBBS. What a shame??!!

    aravinda Thursday, 09 February 2017 08:17 AM

    Clinical training facilities in government hospitals must be provided for students of SAITM or any other future medical college in Sri Lanka. Note that patients are not the property of GMOA or the Medical Council.

    Ajja Thursday, 09 February 2017 08:12 AM

    No point of explaining things to GMOA.".Court verdict is loud and clear."Beeri Alinta Veena Vadanaya karanawa wage...

    Missaka Thursday, 09 February 2017 08:01 AM

    I think this whole SAITM drama by the government and JVP is to hide contents of new constitution, the signing of ETCA and other burning issues of the masses.

    SL Thursday, 09 February 2017 07:57 AM

    Who will give the clinical training? DR.Vevil Fedo ? .The clinical training system offers by gvt hospitals is one of the best in the world I believe.

    PALITHA GALAPITIYA Thursday, 09 February 2017 07:50 AM

    Very Good Move Dear Hon. Minister.

    RP Thursday, 09 February 2017 07:28 AM

    Those with international or local qualifications (from private institutions) in other fields (engineers, IT professionals etc) have no problem on working in Sri Lanka. So, why special treatment for doctors only. GMOA should honor the court ruling.

    SL Thursday, 09 February 2017 07:20 AM

    We need quality doctors, they should be able to handle ,treat a patient.not giving panadol which even my grand ma can do. Private or Government ,Quality of education shall be controlled by government or a specialized body.No private university shall allow do their degrees their own.Many Engineering,Quantity Surveyor Degrees offer in our country are low grade degrees since government has no control, monitoring over them.This should not happen to private medical degrees !

    Ajith Thursday, 09 February 2017 06:50 AM

    No one is above the law. GMOA should accept the ruling and fall in line now. Treat the SAITM students like any students from Bangladesh, Russia etc and get them to sit the same exam and follow the same procedure. What more do you want from these students?

    Lankan Man Thursday, 09 February 2017 06:05 AM

    Looks like GMOA and JVP now getting isolated. Both organisations are like minded people and not living in modern world. Majority of public are not with them.


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