No nationalisation of SAITM, says Management

Certain media reports carry the headlines of a possible nationalisation of SAITM by the Government. The Management of SAITM wishes to place on record that no such intimation has come from any government source regarding such an action. In December 2015 the Chairman of SAITM forwarded a proposal to President Maithripala Sirisena inviting the Government to establish a private public partnership for the Hospital of SAITM which is currently under discussion with the relevant authorities which does not include any proposal for nationalisation of this institution. 

SAITM is established as a BOI company and recognised as a degree awarding institute by Gazette Notification No 1721/19 date 30 August 2011 and No 1829/30 dated 26 September 2013. President Maithripala Sirisena who was the Minister of Health at the time SAITM was established fully supported this venture, recognising the potential value of such venture for both the Education Sector as well as the Health Sector.

SAITM Management states that it is indeed disappointing that the GMOA continues to make unsubstantiated and frivolous allegations against SAITM, the only private higher education institute in Sri Lanka for medicine, especially when there is a dire need for qualified medical personnel in the country and the State universities have been unable to meet the demand. Educational institutions providing the local students an affordable opportunity to secure a medical degree, is a necessity for this country and successive governments have encouraged our venture, as it offers a very satisfactory and affordable option for the future generations in the field of medicine and discourages migration of young intellects to other countries in pursuant of higher studies. 

Furthermore, there is potential for Sri Lanka to be an education hub in Asia and medical degrees have a high demand. The management believes the GMOA’s objection to this venture primarily stems from a desire to protect their members’ own personal interests – limiting the competition in the profession by keeping the intake to the medical profession at a bare minimum.

SAITM offers a quality education to its students and has at all times encouraged and invited supervision of the Higher Education Ministry, the Health Ministry and the University Grants Commission to monitor its progress in order to ensure the highest standards of education are maintained. Their teaching panels consist of lecturers who have held the posts of Lecturers and Vice Chancellors in State Universities. The recruitment of students is on par with State Universities. As such, the continuous anti-SAITM sentiments of the GMOA without a due verification of facts, amply demonstrates their mala fides and the frivolity of their allegations.