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We have the backing of the Govt.: SAITM head

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7 February 2017 11:15 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The chairman of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), Dr. Neville Fernando said today that they had the backing of the government and would continue SAITM operations without fear.

“We have the backing of the government. We have no fear. We will continue the operation of SAITM. I must thank President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Minister S.B. Dissanayake for their support. Minister Rajitha Senaratne has asserted that SAITM would not be shut down,” he said.

He said at a media briefing that they were not under a great threat until an extremist leftist party joined the GMOA recently.

“If I wanted to make money I would have opened a casino. I would not have given a 30% student scholarship. I gave scholarships to 10 students at the request of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and they are in the final batch now. If it was not done, they would have missed out on a career in medicine,” he said

Responding to a question on whether they would agree to regulating private universities, if more universities like SAITM were opened in the future, Dr. Fernando said a common MCQ paper should be set for all the state universities, SAITM and students coming from foreign universities to check their standards.

“Let's hold a common MCQ for all the state universities, SAITM and students coming from foreign universities and see. I am sure our students will come on top. Only such a test can measure the standard. We have no faith in the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC). If they were to hold the test, they are sure to fail our students,” he said. (Ajith Siriwardana)

 

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  Comments - 18

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  • ravin Wednesday, 08 February 2017 08:54 AM

    Do not worry all undertakers will back you as well SAITM.

    sumith Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:47 PM

    yes lets have a factory to generate doctors

    Bala Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:18 PM

    SLMC has former GMOA members - so no independent assessment for sure. Common MCQ may be twice a year is excellent.

    anil Wednesday, 08 February 2017 03:39 PM

    Thanking is not enough, please ask the backing people to obtain medical services only from SAITAM passed out students and show the people that the backing people are safe and good in health condition, treat them atleast 5 years.

    lkboy Wednesday, 08 February 2017 03:23 PM

    Do you know the quality of healthcare in those countries? do some research.

    think_Wise Wednesday, 08 February 2017 11:27 AM

    Thats why we have the best health care facility in SouthAsia. Eradicate Malaria, Polio and Filariasis which is not in case of other countries.

    Kaboos Wednesday, 08 February 2017 09:31 AM

    India has 270 private university Pakistan 72 Bangladesh 70 Nepal 52 and Sri Lanka where are we? We are like frogs in the well.

    Bingo Wednesday, 08 February 2017 09:27 AM

    I could only see SL going another 100 years backward with no standard in anything and getting more uncivilized, chaos like in India. Just sad.

    kautilya Wednesday, 08 February 2017 09:11 AM

    Down with GMOA mafia.

    Mahila Wednesday, 08 February 2017 03:45 AM

    Very good suggestion (MCQ) and with independent examiners (Not from any local interested party), which will assess all participants, in every institution (government or private) in par. Everyone support this move and will be very enlightening. No more squabbles and all Sri Lankan doctors equal. Paid or Z score entry.

    Leo Wednesday, 08 February 2017 08:12 AM

    Thats a great suggestion. The government should implement the MCQ immidietly to shut the GMOA JCP and free education road hogging humbugs up. via DM Android App

    Ranjitdea Wednesday, 08 February 2017 08:09 AM

    Except from agents who are sending students to foreign countries and earn commissions

    ANTON Wednesday, 08 February 2017 07:06 AM

    NOT ONLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT, YOU HAVE THE BACKING OF ALL THE INTELLIGENT PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD.

    Kadiya Wednesday, 08 February 2017 06:56 AM

    And I suppose the entire country!!!

    Lion Wednesday, 08 February 2017 06:20 AM

    The government should fully support the SATIM. This is the only way we can produce enough medical graduates to our health sector and also stop millions of dollars going out of this country which is starving for foreign exchange, mainly earned by our village girls working in middle east. GMOA wants to keep the monopoly of health sector resorting to strike actions to win their un justifiable demands. They want car permit, salary increases, good school for their children. When government doesn't heed they strike without giving any care for poor patients. They simply want to stop more doctors coming out from private universities which hamper their position. Majority of the people are with the government in this issue. Enforce methodical and efficient monitoring system when enrolling students for theses private medical colleges. That is all we need

    Ajith Wednesday, 08 February 2017 06:20 AM

    We respect you and the majority of Sri Lankans support SAITM. It should not be closed down at any cost. As for MR, he is an opportunist and no point talking about. He will do anything to get the power back so he can cover up all crimes by him and his team. Sick!

    MBBS (Non SAITM ) Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:15 AM

    Sure. Not difficult to buy politicians, media and what not in Sri Lanka

    Praba Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:12 AM

    The cat out of the bag.


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