(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – The “Puravasi Balaya” Movement has accused several factions of opposing the operation of the private medical institute in Malabe.
The co-convener of the “Puravasi Balaya” Movement Samantha Rathnapriya stressed that the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine is a recognized university in the country and therefore said it can award degrees for students who successful completing courses.
Samantha Rathnapriya said the gazette notification was published twice adding according to No.29 of the 1978 Universities Act, all graduates from SAITM have to be registered.
He added that the Sri Lanka Medical Council can check the quality of SAITM or any other medical council in Sri Lanka.
The co-convener said however, officials have no right to refrain from registering the students regardless of a court order adding that the protest against it is politically motivated.
He said there is no moral reason to oppose SAITM adding that the movement requests the government to enforce the court order.
He added that the protests are politically influenced by a group headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Samantha Rathnapriya said the movement is launching a campaign against this adding that it challenges anyone to a debate.
The Co- Convener then questioned as to why there were no objections to the medical degree given by the Kotalawela Medical Faculty.
He asked a follow up question as to whether it was because it was a university started by former secretary of defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
He said answers should be given to the country.