Govt has decided to standardize SAITM education - Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne | Sunday Observer

Govt has decided to standardize SAITM education - Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne

25 June, 2017

Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne who responded to an adjournment motion moved by Joint Opposition Leader Dinesh Gunawardena on the controversial SAITM issue told Parliament on Friday (June 23) that SAITM would be brought under a Management Committee and introduced to the Share Market, and added that the National Unity Government would not resort to any move which would affect free education, including medical education.

On Thursday too, the Joint Opposition (JO) had planned to move an adjournment motion on the SAITM issue and Wednesday’s attack on the university students at the Health Ministry. However, the House was adjourned around 4.00 pm due to the absence of MP Dinesh Gunawardena to move his adjournment motion. However, the opportunity was given to the JO to move the motion the following day. During the debate, Government and Opposition legislators were seen trading divergent views on the SAITM issue and the recent attack on the university students. JO members who joined the debate warned of a recurrence of the 1988-89 riots in the country, if the Government continued to suppress the student community, resorting to force. Dr.Senaratne in his response to the queries raised by Opposition members told the House, the Government has decided to standardize SAITM education and create the necessary environment for students to continue their education without hindrance. The Minister informed the House of the decision taken to temporarily suspend admissions to SAITM. In an elaborate response, he told Opposition legislators, that under the National Unity Government it is not only free education but free health too is guaranteed.

Intervention

Dr.Senaratne was of the view that we cannot belittle the abilities of the students of private medical faculties. He drew the attention of the House to the decisions taken by the former Government to set up the KDU medical faculty and added that approval was simply granted. He said approval to KDU was given within 45 minutes due to the intervention of then Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Leader of the House and Higher Education and Highways Minister, Lakshman Kiriella who joined the debate said, the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government granted a 600 million rupee loan to set up SAITM, whereas now MP Gunawardena is speaking against the institute. The Minister said, nevertheless, they thank MP Gunawardena for setting up SAITM. He announced the decision of the Government to take over SAITM and convert it into a dengue hospital.

Moving the adjournment motion, MP Gunawardena urged the Government to engage constructively with the doctors and students without browbeating them. He said over 88 students were injured due to Wednesday’s clash between Police and students at the Health Ministry. He said, the quality of medical education is more important than the business of one or two particular individuals. The MP said “ You cannot allow SAITM to produce half-baked doctors.”

JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunneththi told the House, the day wouldn’t be far when people armed with clubs and poles would take to the streets if the Government did not take immediate action to shut down SAITM. The MP was countering a statement made by Minister Lakshman Kiriella that the protesting students were armed with clubs and iron bars. MP Handunneththi, categorically denied the claim. He said it had been a peaceful protest but there is a possibility of such action in the future if the Government did not heed the students’ justifiable demands. However, Minister Rajitha Senaratne warned the JVP not to talk about taking up bludgeons against SAITM as such action would pave the way for the Frontline Socialist Party members to arm themselves with assault rifles. He told the JVP not to continue with outdated socialist ideas, talking of arming themselves.

Spread of dengue

The Opposition legislators made a big hue and cry on the floor of the House on Tuesday alleging that the Government has failed to sort out the numerous problems faced by the country. The Speaker had to suspend sittings twice as the Opposition MPs staged a noisy protest, demanding solutions to problems, such as, the spread of dengue and the destruction wreaked by natural disasters. Making a special statement, MP Dinesh Gunawardena posed several questions to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said, though the Government Ministers had pledged to provide solutions to the hardships faced by people displaced by floods and landslides, no tangible relief has been given to the victims. Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the House the IDH, Ragama and Jayewardenepura Hospitals are overflowing with patients, some of whom are lying under the beds. Dissanayake alleged there is a Health Minister and a Deputy maintained with public funds, but both are not in the Chamber to respond to the queries. Minister Daya Gamage said, the Government does its level best to address all issues, and asked the vociferous Opposition members not to politicize them. JVP Leader Dissanayake alleged, the Government simply waited until 200 persons died and 65,000 had been affected with dengue.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament, the objective of setting up the Office of the Missing Persons is not to dig up the past, but facilitate reconciliation process by ensuring the right of families of missing persons to know the truth. Moving the Office of the Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and Discharge of Functions) (Amendment) Bill for debate, the Premier assured the House that the OMP would not have any powers to hold criminal inquiries or pursue legal action; its role is restricted to finding the truth about the missing persons and issuing Certificates of Absence, where necessary. The Premier stressed the need to heal the wounds of war and unite the nation. He said, if it is necessary, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) similar to that of South Africa would be set up.

Categorically denying media speculations, Justice Minister Dr.Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said in Parliament, he was not harbouring Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera and added that he has no need to hide him or give him refuge. The Minister said, he has been accused by a section of the media of making use of his powers as Minister of Justice to provide refuge to the Thera. Minister Rajapakshe said he had no need to protect anyone from being arrested. Making a special statement, the Minister asked a pertinent question from those who concocted this story. He said it was during the period 2010 to 2014, that the Bodu Bala Sena was at its zenith and it was during that period the highest number of incidents of religious violence was reported. Even the most serious incident of the Dharga Town attacks took place during that period. The Minister asked why Ven. Gnanasara thera was not arrested then?

Meanwhile, to the surprise of the House, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the Government is considering lifting the Poya day liquor ban. Moving a Notification under the Excise Ordinance , Minister Samaraweera said the practice of closing bars and taverns on Poya days and Christmas day had to be reconsidered. He attempted to convince the House that the consumption of illegal liquor goes up when the sale of liquor is banned on Poya days,. He said, owners of Super Markets and bars have told him that liquor sales go up very much on the eve of every Poya day. The Minister pointed out that the sale of liquor has been banned even on Christmas Day. Since December is the peak tourist season, it is time to reconsider these outdated laws. Citing an example, the Minister said, Thailand is a Buddhist country, but it closes bars and taverns only during elections. 

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