SAITM students appeal to President for KNDU transfer

• KNDU Bill put forward in April objected to by GMOA
• SAITM students fear continued uncertainty despite concurrence with Govt. solution 
• Plead with President to implement solutions immediately 

 By Shannon Jayawardena

Distressed students of the South Asian Institute for Technology and Medicine (SAITM) yesterday called on President Maithripala Sirisena to intervene to push forward legislation allowing for their immediate transfer to the Kotelawala National Defense University (KNDU), in accordance  with the new bill put forward by the Government early last month allowing them to become full-fledged doctors.

Addressing a news conference organised by the SAITM Student Action Committee, they called on the Government to adhere to its commitments despite threats by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) to go on strike if the Government failed to withdraw its latest bill which was introduced on 6 April. 

Since SAITM’s abolishment in December 2017, all academic activities have halted, placing students in a complex and hopeless situation, they said. The Government then came to an agreement to place the students at the KNDU, giving them the opportunity to obtain a registered medical degree. Yet no action had been taken since the policy was put forward, students charged. 

“Our studies have completely come to a standstill since SAITM was abolished. There are around 900 students like me who cannot speak up for themselves and that is why we ask who will be responsible for the future of these students? SAITM was abolished, education came to a halt but the recommended solution is still unimplemented,” said SAITM Student Action Committee member Dilshan Sampath.

“We the students have suffered for nearly 10 years now with no solution to our problems. We ask that the President take action as soon as possible to transfer all the students to KNDU and free the students of the distress that they are currently in,” he added.

In order for this to be implemented, amendments have to be made in the legislation for civilians to enroll in KNDU as it is a military institute. The students stated that it was essential for the new amendments to be passed in Parliament, which would resolve the situation. They pleaded with the President to implement the solutions put forward by him.  

SAITM Student Action Committee Member Shanaka Thissera noted: “Although the President, after looking into all medical students at SAITM, came to yet another solution, no actions have been taken since. It has been nearly a month now but the proposed bill hasn’t been presented to Parliament and we fear this situation will drag on.”

He emphasised the fact that every time a new solution was put forward, the students hoped for a solution and a chance to help the country yet no concrete steps have yet been taken.