Resolving SAITM issue: President to appoint expert committee | Sunday Observer

Resolving SAITM issue: President to appoint expert committee

12 February, 2017

In a move to settle issues relating to the medical graduates of the South Asian Institute of the Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that he will appoint a committee of experts to consult all stakeholders and advise the government on the SAITM issue.

The President said the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) and the Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) have submitted proposals on the SAITM issue.

“GMOA and SLDA have submitted proposals on the SAITM issue. I will appoint a committee of experts to consult all parties and advise the government,” the President said in twitter message yesterday following the meeting with representatives of the GMOA and SLDA.

According to the GMOA, the discussion they had with the President on SAITM issue ended in a fruitful manner.

The GMOA in a letter addressed to the President pointed out the necessity to take appropriate action to streamline the process regarding approving the minimum standards of medical education in the country.

They also requested the President to cancel the gazette notifications issued by then Higher Education Minister giving degree awarding status to SAITM as it had been done disregarding the powers vested with the Sri Lanka Medical Council to regulate medical degree awarding institutions and in securing the rights of the patients.

On Thursday, President Sirisena said he will have discussions with all relevant stakeholders to the SAITM issue and solve this problem through a reasonable program which everybody can accept.

“I will bring justice to every student while being impartial,” he said.

He requested the students of State medical faculties to continue their studies without boycotting classes protesting against SAITM.

- RW

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