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TU action can't change Court ruling: Kiriella

3 April 2017 06:06 pm - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said today there appears to be a plot to destabilize the government through the SATIM issue but whatever it might be Court orders could not be changed through trade union action or hunger strikes.

He said the Court had recognized the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) and as such there was no way for the Government to scrap it or close it down.

“Some people are resorting to the new practice of challenging court orders. If we close down SAITM we will be hauled to Court for contempt. Court orders cannot be changed by stopping work, boycotting lecturers or through street protests that inconvenience the public,” the minister said.

He told a news conference that the government would strengthen the free education system in Sri Lanka and hopes to start two medical faculties in the North-Western Province and Ratnapura.

“It is the UNP which introduced free education to Sri Lanka. We will not allow anyone to destroy it. Some people are citing SAITM and attempting to show that we are against free education. There is nothing wrong in setting up private medical universities if done so under proper standards,” he said.

Mr. Kiriella said even though the government was doing its best to resolve the SAITM issue, the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) by not attending the discussions convened by the President was refusing to cooperate with the government.

“The SLMC has a separate agenda. It did not attend the discussions convened by the President to discuss this matter and did not protest when the SAITM was established during the previous regime,” he said.

He said some factions such as the GMOA were urging that minimum standards for medical education be gazetted but the SLMC and medical faculty heads, who were responsible, were not drafting them so that they could be gazetted without delay. (Ajith Siriwardana)

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  Comments - 15

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  • Banda Monday, 03 April 2017 06:30 PM

    Fortunately GOMA is from a different planet, they come to Sri Lanka to make their presence felt, just ignore them !!!

    Don Monday, 03 April 2017 06:52 PM

    To action is contempt of court. The AG should have the charge sheet ready. via DM Android App

    Justica USA... Monday, 03 April 2017 07:01 PM

    charge them all after arresting and hand cauffing...they all might follow wimal n fast into death...let their souls rest in PIECES ... via DM Android App

    Shan Monday, 03 April 2017 07:25 PM

    Very good stand. Let the show begin now.

    chandra Monday, 03 April 2017 07:49 PM

    We can remember similar verdict for NCMC. But ultimately then UNP government had to listen to public voice hon minister. Please keep in mind. via DM Android App

    Saman Monday, 03 April 2017 08:42 PM

    This problem has no solution. No one is willing to give up. No medical students attended lectures for two months now. As the minister, he should give some solution. Of course, these ministers has no problem as long as they get what they want.

    sara Monday, 03 April 2017 08:47 PM

    Of course doctors have the right to fight for justice but not at the expense of poor masses. Let them take TU action by not attending private hospitals where all poiticians and the affluent go for treatment.

    truth Tuesday, 04 April 2017 09:15 AM

    A very good stand Mr. Minister!

    Blair Tuesday, 04 April 2017 09:23 AM

    Most of the South Asian countries have private medical schools (universities). The parents who can afford, have every right to do so.

    Mohan1986 Tuesday, 04 April 2017 12:11 PM

    The South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) students should pass common final exam with state medical students. UGC should look at the qualification of all students at SAITM before they sit for this exam. The UGC has responsibility to check the quality of SAITM medical degree.

    lkboy Tuesday, 04 April 2017 12:12 PM

    Thats how you intepret. Minister is only hanging on to the court to runaway from his responsibility.

    lkboy Tuesday, 04 April 2017 12:13 PM

    And they should practice only in private.

    K. C. John Tuesday, 04 April 2017 02:38 PM

    There is a solution. If the GMOA and SAITM agree that the SAITM graduates should pass the ERPM before they are granted full registration by the SLMC, that would set the required standard. Why can't this practical solution be agreed upon?

    thetruth Tuesday, 04 April 2017 08:41 PM

    GMOA doesn't demand to change a court ruling so the minister doesn't have to worry about it but GMOA is asking from the minister to do something and he will have to do it.

    Art Wednesday, 05 April 2017 11:23 AM

    I can count up to a dozen strikes, protest etc. by GMOA. They now even rally against a court decision. These make their Hippocratic Oath a hypocrisy. Aren't there any 'ethical' and 'backboned' bunch of doctors in GMOA to stand for the sanctity of the oath they made?


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