With the view of resolving the controversial SAITM issue, the government has proposed to bring the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital under the Ministry of Health, whilst allowing it to continue to run as a teaching hospital.

A statement was issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Highways today (7), revealing the position of the government regarding the issue of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe. 

The government of Sri Lanka has taken the following decisions on the SAITM issue subject to the judgment of the Court of Appeal and the subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court, as sought by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC):

1. SAITM students who have already passed the final MBBS examination will be given a further period of clinical training in Surgery, Medicine, in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, one month each in duration, at Homagama and Avissawella hospitals.

2. Subsequent to this training, candidates will undergo a mandatory examination conducted for granting provisional registration under the joint supervision of SLMC and the University Grants Commission.

3. Ministry of Health will gazette the minimum standards for medical education in Sri Lanka submitted by the SLMC with the approval of the AG.

4. Ministry of Health will initiate the proceedings to bring the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital under the Ministry of Health and will continue to run as a Teaching Hospital.