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SAITM operating illegally from the start, say medical unions
View(s):By Minushi Perera and Kaveesha Fernando
From the start SAITM has been operating illegally and there is mismanagement within the university, said the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Secretary, Dr. Nalinda Herath, alleging that it has obtained the sponsorship of government officials.
Pointing out that up to now neither the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) nor the Health Ministry has given approval to SAITM, he alleged that today groups are going before courts and giving false information. “If you look at the history of SAITM, you will see that it has been operating outside the regulations and is an organisation which began and is continuing to be conducted in an unlawful manner,” he added.
T.M.K.B. Tennakoon, President of the Private Medical College Parents’ Society, however, said that SAITM has been given recognition by the Higher Education Ministry and the SLMC by not registering it is one government institution going against the decision of another government institution.
“SAITM students have the relevant qualifications to be registered under the SLMC. If it feels the students are not qualified enough, the SLMC should specifically mention what the faults are so that SAITM can improve and send the students for registration,” he said.
Government Dental Surgeons’ Association Secretary Dr. Ananda Rathnayake echoed the view that SAITM has been operating illegally from the beginning and the training of students has also been substandard. The first batch of graduates has not passed out in the correct way. Therefore, SAITM needs to be deregistered, he said.
The All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association Treasurer, Dr. Asanga Wickramasinghe, urged the Government to rescind the degree-awarding status granted to SAITM in August 2011. The need right now is to halt new batches being admitted to SAITM, the closure of SAITM and compensation being awarded to the students who are already studying at SAITM, he said.
The All Ceylon Government Medical Officers’ Association President Dr. Gishantha Dassanayake recalled how SAITM was given six months, when granted degree-awarding status to fulfil certain conditions but even after one year those conditions had not been fulfilled.
“This is different to any other profession,” reiterated Dr. Dassanayake, for doctors deal with the lives of people. This is why they need proper training. Ryan Jayalath, Convener of the Medical Faculty Student Action Committee, alleged that SAITM had spread misconceptions among the public that it was recognised by the SLMC, later saying that it was recognised by the British Medical Council and that it was part of a foreign university.
When asked what the solution would be to the SAITM issue, he was adamant that it should be shut down, with the SAITM authorities being asked to pay compensation to the students. Many politicians have relatives studying at SAITM and some doctor-parents of students themselves supervise the examinations there, he added.