Report of presidential committee to resolve SAITM issue handed over to President

The Presidential Committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to resolve the issue of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) handed over its report to the President on 11 September, according to Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva.

The ‘Presidential Committee to Resolve Issues Related to SAITM’ was chaired by Dr. de Silva, the Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Development.

The committee comprised Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education and Highways D.C. Dissanayake, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Nutrition, and Indigenous Medicine Janaka Sugathadasa, Attorney-General Jayantha Jayasuriya (represented by Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam) and University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. Mohan de Silva.

The committee for 10 days had held lengthy discussions with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), deans of medical faculties of universities, medical professionals, university teachers’ associations, doctors’ associations, representatives of parents and representatives of SAITM’s management.

As a result of these discussions, the SLMC, as well as the other parties including the two ministries, have reached several agreements.

Based on the submissions made to the committee, it has recommended temporarily suspending the admission of students for medical degree programs at SAITM.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education and Highways has made the decision under section 70 of the University Act to suspend further admissions based on the recommendation by the committee and has advised the SAITM management accordingly.

The new admissions will be suspended until 31 December 2017 or until the Government gazettes the minimum standards under the Medical Ordinance, whichever comes first.

According to the committee recommendations, the ownership and management structure of SAITM will be abolished. In its place a not-for-profit broad-based ownership institution as a public-private partnership that meets minimum standards will be established.

Additional proposals have been submitted by the committee in its report and the Government has decided to discuss these proposals further and take measures according to the conclusions of the discussions. The Government expects to find an equitable solution for all parties.

The Government expects that with these positive steps, the university students, their parents, faculty members and deans, university administration as well as student unions and all other stakeholders will take measures to reopen the medical faculties for studies.