The All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association (ACMOA) has requested for a meeting with the President to discuss regarding an agreement reached to convert the private medical college in Malabe into a semi-government institution. 

An agreement in this regard had reportedly been reached following talks held with the Medical Faculty Deans of 6 government universities yesterday (21). 

Minister of Higher Education Lakshman Kiriella and the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof. Mohan de Silva also participated in the discussion.

It has been reported that during this meeting, the Deans of the Medical Faculties had expressed agreement that the private medical college in Malabe, also known as the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), should be affiliated with the government. 

It was also agreed that a definitive decision with this regard would be taken following the court proceedings. 

UGC chairman Prof. Mohan de Silva has said that there appears to be no alternative other than to operate SAITM as a semi-government institution.

However, the ACMOA says that there is no issue with the ownership of SAITM and that they will unconditionally oppose the selling of medical degrees for money, be it by the private sector or the public sector. 

In a letter addressed to President Maithripala Sirisena, the association claims that such proposals aimed at fulfilling various personal objectives will only further complicate the issue. 

Meanwhile the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) has also expressed objection to converting the private medical college in Malabe into a semi-government institution.