Govt. vows to go ahead with private universities

6 April 2013 07:52 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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Higher Education Minister S.B Dissanayake addressing the opening of the first phase of the Malabe private medical college teaching hospital yesterday said despite whatever criticism the government might face from the medical fraternity, it would continue its efforts to take private medical education to greater heights in Sri Lanka.

Minister Dissanayake who was a guest of honour at the opening of the Dr. Neville Fernando Sri Lanka-Russia Friendship Teaching Hospital, the country’s largest private hospital and teaching hospital to the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), said that private education was a necessity to meet the demands of the youth in the country.

The minister criticised Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Registrar Dr N.J Nonis and its former President Dr. Lalitha Mendis as well as doctors’ associations that had condemned the government’s decision to give recognition to SAITM and its teaching hospital.

“There has been a lot of criticism against this private university but I am not worried. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is not worried and neither is the President,” minister Dissanayake said. He said that previous ministers too had disregarded decisions of the SLMC and that despite the challenge, other private universities too would be set up in the country.

He said while 350,000 students sat the GCE Advanced Level Examination only 150,000 were eligible to enter university. He added that despite an effort to provide university admission to an additional number of students, only 27,000 students received entry.

“We will strengthen the state free education system in the country. But while doing so we will encourage the establishment of private universities as well,” he said adding that 11 private universities have already been given permission to begin in the country while several other private university proposals were still being examined.(Olindhi Jayasundere)

Comments - 17

Nimal Sunday, 07 April 2013 06:31 AM

Thank you minister SB for your courage. You had the heart to rise above the Southern Terrorists!

3 8

roy Monday, 08 April 2013 07:04 AM

when going to start mechanical..... please

0 1

Sandya Monday, 08 April 2013 06:40 AM

@ Mohottala
Half baked like yourself?

0 2

das Monday, 08 April 2013 05:03 AM

The reason that doctors are against SAITM is because they will have competion for private practice.

0 5

preya Monday, 08 April 2013 04:06 AM

you are correct men

0 1

student.in.US Monday, 08 April 2013 02:04 AM

if those colleges are given the facilities and are made sure up to the standards, WE CAN SAVE A TON OF MONEY! If an art student goes abroad and get a medical degree, he will be allowed to practice medicine in SL if he passes one of those "practicing exams" in SL. So why not stop those people giving away our money to other countries and keep it in our own country???

1 8

abhil nizam Sunday, 07 April 2013 05:14 PM

only local universities know how to teach medicine?? So rest of the world doesnt know hot to teach Medicine??? All this is done by a few to protect their positions..

3 8

Gamini Sunday, 07 April 2013 02:07 PM

Way to go Mr.Minister.

1 8

Mohottala Sunday, 07 April 2013 10:50 AM

You fool! Don't you understand that unlike other professions medicine deals directly with human beings. Medical Council is opposing because SAITM has admitted those who failed the Advanced Level exam and Arts students to do a degree in medicine for a fee. There are five batches of students at SAITM who have not had a single day of clinical experience in a hospital. They are opposing because the doctors that wlil pass out from SAITM will be half baked.

13 9

Rishan Saturday, 06 April 2013 08:17 AM

Talk only no action

17 27

Thomas Saturday, 06 April 2013 03:15 PM

Private Universities a Must like in UK, USA, India

6 43

tony Saturday, 06 April 2013 11:25 AM

Government never care for others view. But when in a spot wants an all party conference

20 11

appu army Saturday, 06 April 2013 10:13 AM

Good decision. Go ahead. Thousand of our kids from middle-east are joining other medical colleges around world spending millions.

7 49

PBJ Saturday, 06 April 2013 10:02 AM

See how craftily representatives of poor majority & a product of free education making path to the rich minority to become elite..

35 10

ALRA Saturday, 06 April 2013 12:00 AM

Better admit all the 350,000 other dropped out students to university directly without any examination. Then we can save at least millions on rupees wasting on exams..!!!

50 11

pk Saturday, 06 April 2013 09:12 AM

Good luck and thank you Minister, at least we can minimise waiting time at the ques in private channeling centres, Nowadays people go to channling centres with half sick become badly sick being waited for long time for doctors.

9 59

Dr. Private Saturday, 06 April 2013 09:08 AM

Medical profession trying to be elite club in Sri Lanka. All profession are available for private study EXCEPT medical. Time to shut SL Medical Council mouth and those Dr. who think themselves as GOD

19 85

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