Students of controversial SAITM institute demand equal rights

Students of the controversial South Asian Institute Technology and Medicine (SAITM), today urged?the Government to take?urgent note of the many obstacles placed in their?path and adopt immediate and appropriate measures to allow them to take their rightful place as doctors within the health structure of Sri Lanka.

Speaking at a media briefing today, the students said that?graduates of SAITM are knowledgeable, capable and highly committed to assume their rightful place as fully-fledged doctors to serve Sri Lanka.

?All students currently registered for the MBBS degree programme have fulfilled the UGC entry criteria. Moreover, the final examinations for the MBBS have been conducted according to UGC regulations along with the participation of both internal examiners from SAITM and external examiners from state medical faculties,? Dilshan Fernando, a SAITM MBBS Graduate said.

The students emphasize that contrary to what is said by various parties, they are not all from super rich families and that the majority of are from middle class families whose parents work hard to pay for their?education.

“Although the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) is legally bound to provide us provisional registration as intern medical officers, the SLMC has unfortunately rejected this possibility. Therefore, one of our colleagues has challenged this matter in courts and we are positive that the truth will finally prevail? underlined, Tharindu Ruwanpathiranage, a SAITM MBBS Graduate said at the media briefing.

The?students of SAITM said that they are united in their?demand that they be given the opportunity to prove their worth to the citizens of Sri Lanka that as doctors they are amongst the best and are ready to serve?Sri Lanka. (Colombo Gazette)