Yes, my daughter-in-law is studying at SAITM: Rajitha

17 December 2015 10:43 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne today admitted that his daughter-in-law was studying at SAITM and added that not only her but that many of his relatives were studying there.

He said the Health Ministry permitted to facilitate clinical training for students at the Malabe private Medical College following a court order on a payment of Rs. 50,000 per student and there was no personal or political consideration involved in that decision.

The Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF) yesterday said that Minister Senaratne's daughter-in-law (MP Chathura Senaratne's wife), was following a course at the SAITM and that that was why Dr. Senaratne was striving to protect SAITM.

Minister Senaratne said if the Health Ministry did not permit SAITM (South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine) students to have their clinical training at a government hospital, the Health Secretary would be held responsible for contempt of court as the Health Ministry had undertaken earlier to permit SAITM students to provide facilities for clinical training. Subsequently, the Health Ministry permitted then to have clinical training at the Avissawella and Kaduwela hospitals.

SAITM students cannot have clinical training at the Malabe Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital due to lack of sufficient patients or beds there.

Meanwhile, Minister Senaratne questioned as to why the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) did not oppose the medical college that was set up at the Kotalawala Defence University (KDU).

“Was it because former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave the GMOA a telephone call asking to explain GMOA’s position on the issue?” he asked. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 21

TONY Thursday, 17 December 2015 08:30 PM

I DO NOT KNOW WHY IUSF IS SO J ABOUT THIS ISSUE. DO THEY NOT LIKE TO SHARE AND LIVE AS SIBLINGS

Shan Saturday, 19 December 2015 12:41 PM

What about then International and Private schools in the country? Are the against them too?

Perumal Saturday, 19 December 2015 10:58 AM

GMOA has become a power unto themselves. A day will come when people decide to put an end to GMOA nonsense by defying even death.

Sangaralingham Saturday, 19 December 2015 09:53 AM

Select the qualified candidates and educate them with good teachers and clinicians and set the final exam private and public as one common exam with out side examiners eg india

pradeep Friday, 18 December 2015 12:55 PM

GMOA is fear in losings the monopoly they have. Govt should encourage private education but they should create a system to monitor the quality of education of these private institutes.

John Friday, 18 December 2015 12:49 PM

SAITM at least try to provide Internship opportunity to their medical students to be a doctor. but, private institute like Australian education providers like Edith Crown University... rip off students money smoothly take money out of this country in billions

Shan Friday, 18 December 2015 12:28 PM

We all should be happy that these kids are studying hard to become doctors with out getting in to trouble with drugs and alcohol. There a minimum requirement to get into SAITAM. As some people think they do not except students with out good A/L results.

willows Friday, 18 December 2015 11:10 AM

open more private universities in all categories, but make sure the standards. look at the other developed countries, their kids are much well off with private schools and public schools are in the same level.

LAN Friday, 18 December 2015 09:31 AM

The people of the country get the government they deserve. The court should have taken the opinion from SLMC before giving the decision. Politicians like Rajitha and GMOA Padeniya do what they want and tell others that they are against it. This private medical faculty would be a good opportunity for wealthy people who can afford at least 10 million. Most of the lecturers from public universities will end up here. It will take some time to understand it is good or bad. But definitely it is not going to be good for poor... With this official Green light from the government..SATIM would have thousands for their next batch..So this government did what MR could not do.....

Deshan Friday, 18 December 2015 09:18 AM

Why university students are thinking they are the best??? Why do not allow other students to be Doctors??? why so selfish???? People must hav equal rights...everyone can be a Doctor if they study hard....Why university students do not allow this?????

Rajiv Friday, 18 December 2015 09:04 AM

Give free education only upto A/L, after that they have to pay, and discontinue degrees which does not have any value in SL or abroad.Intake on merit not on quotaThen no one will protest, if they are spending their parents hard earned money

Thomas Thursday, 17 December 2015 05:55 PM

GMOA itself is a joke. via DM Android App

Sapu Thursday, 17 December 2015 08:23 PM

KDU is a defence institution. and do you think education should only be given by govt?

Ru Thursday, 17 December 2015 08:07 PM

Conflict of interest, no?

lionel wijesuriya Thursday, 17 December 2015 07:56 PM

Well-said, Mr Minister!

Bushel Thursday, 17 December 2015 07:44 PM

The problem is the fools also can get entry as wel as the best

Real Peace Thursday, 17 December 2015 07:35 PM

I do not know what the GMOA is moaning about! Though almost all GMOA members were educated at state medical schools the majority of the GMOA members are now working in PRIVATE hospitals...!!!

Citizen Thursday, 17 December 2015 06:48 PM

Open more private medical schools....and stop government doctors private practise.

Bala Thursday, 17 December 2015 06:42 PM

What has that connection to do with a good medical degree. We know Avant Garde aand defence ministry antics.

lkboy Thursday, 17 December 2015 06:01 PM

at least KDU is government connected via Defence ministry.

SOBERS Thursday, 17 December 2015 05:51 PM

It is better to spend the money here than going overseas, These unions are suffering from inferiority complex. They are always against private education. It is well known that the best do not enter the universities due to the entry system. The choice is private education.

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Yes, my daughter-in-law is studying at SAITM: Rajitha

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