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Kiriella says state medical students struck in vain as SLMC decides to recognise SAITM degree
The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has decided to recognise the SAITM medical students’ degree with additional weeks of clinical training, Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.
“With five more weeks of clinical training they will be recognised as doctors on par with those coming out from state-run universities,” he said.
The minister made these comments at the 14th annual convocation of the Sri Lanka institute of Advanced Technological Education held at the BMICH yesterday.
Minister Kiriella said that the so called struggle by the medical students of state-run universities for eight months were in vain because, though the students boycotted lectures for eight months, the SLMC has ultimately recognized the SAITM degree with additional weeks of clinical training
“They lost eight months of their seniority,” he said.
Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Professor Colvin Gunaratne refused to comment on the matter.Meanwhile, reacting to the statement, The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) warned that it was prepared to renew its struggle to abolish SAITM in early 2018.
GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Naveen de Soysa said the GMOA’s Executive Committee (Ex-Co) will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Minister’s statement. A GMOA general meeting will follow within a week of the ex-co meeting, he added.
Dr. de Soysa stated the Government, and especially the President had agreed to abolish SAITM. “Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva even stated in Parliament that SAITM will be abolished by December 31. So, how can the Government now say that it will recognise its degree?”