The Supreme Court yesterday directed the Attorney General to ascertain from the Ministry of Health and Public Service Commission whether the Medical Ordinance could be amended to enable the students of SAITM to enter State Medical Service.

The Supreme Court made this direction when a Fundamental Rights petition by two SAITM students was considered by Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justice Anil Goonaratne

Petitioners U.M. Jayami Eshana and Kumuduni Kaushalya Kodithuwakku, medical students of SAITM, had filed this petition, seeking an order directing the authorities that the Medical Service Minute be re-drafted enabling the non-state universities and non-state recognized degree awarding institutes within Sri Lanka to be recruited to the State Medical Service.

The petitioners named Minister of Higher Education, Health Minister, Public Service Commission and 14 others as respondents.

The petitioners stated that they came to know that the University Grant Commission was taking steps to recognize SAITM as a degree awarding institute. They stated that in the circumstances the petitioners reasonably believed that SAITM will be recognized as a degree awarding institute and the degree which was already being awarded had been recognized by the Medical Council, registered to follow the Medical Degree of Russia.