A common center against private medical schools
WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2016
The organization 'Centre Against Private Medical Colleges', launched to oppose the private medical school attached to South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), held a press conference recently.
The General Secretary of All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association Dr. Jayantha Bandara, University Lecturer Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, the General Secretary of All Ceylon Nurses Union Gamini Kumarasinghe, University Lecturer Winnie Hettigoda, Specialist Doctor Ajith Kumara, Specialist Doctor Mahima Gunasekera, the General Secretary of National Trade Union Center (NTUC) Samantha Koralearachchi, Mr. Tilak Pattiyakumara on behalf of National Intellectuals and Professionals Organization, the co-convener of Center to Oppose Private Medical Colleges Asanga Wickremesinghe and representatives from the medical sector and trade unions were present.
The General Secretary of All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association Dr. Jayantha Bandara said a decision has been taken to amalgamate all organizations that have been struggling against Malabe private medical school and take continuous actions until the private medical school is closed down.
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri said the present regime came to power as a result of a massive struggle carried out by university teachers, professionals, trade unions against the arbitrary moves of the previous regime and the present regime cannot move on without listening to the voice of those who brought it to power. He said setting up degree shops that sell degrees cheaply cannot be avoided when education and health sectors are privatized. However, this move should be completely halted for the right of life of the people in this country said Dr. Devasiri.
Dr. Winnie Hettigoda addressing the media said a person who had not passed grade 12 would not be able to pass any other higher examination and this would bring down the quality of the whole health sector.
He said producing doctors with the power of money should be stopped, the private medical school should be abolished and instead the quantitative and qualitative structure of the state university system should be raised.
