Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday Dec 13, 2024
Monday, 4 September 2017 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Management of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in a statement yesterday said that various speculations made to the media and general public by Prof. Carlo Fonseka were completely inaccurate.
The following is the full statement.
The false statements made by Prof. Fonseka are an attempt to provoke university students who are being misled by various fractions in order to halt private medical education in the country.
In regard to the accusations made by Prof. Fonseka, SAITM wishes to clarify with the public that at no point has SAITM earned a profit of Rs. 1,265 million. SAITM expresses its sympathy towards Prof. Fonseka who does not know the difference between mere income and profit. The false propaganda conveyed by him is appalling and is not worthy of his caliber.
SAITM was built with a personal investment from Dr. Neville Fernando at a cost of Rs. 700 million within a four-acre land in Malabe housing 120,000 sq. ft.
Following the obstructions from the GMOA to carry out clinical training, SAITM built its own teaching hospital to accommodate the necessary training. Subsequently, SAITM acquired a loan of Rs. 2 billion for its construction and equipment where annually around Rs. 500 million is repaid to service the loan in addition to other operational expenses incurred by the institution.
The income that has been obtained through student and patient fees has annually been reinvested in improving facilities at the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital and SAITM for the benefit of students and its patients.
