The South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), in a statement issued yesterday said the abolishment of SAITM was not the solution and that it was prepared to abide by the laws of the country and extend its fullest cooperation to the Government of Sri Lanka to expedite a ‘just and expeditious solution for its MBBS graduates and undergraduates’. 

 ‘We wish to inform the Sri Lankan public that the management and the majority of the parents are fully supportive of a solution put forward by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The 5 member Presidential Committee report headed by Dr. Harsha de Silva, has clearly stated that abolishment of the institution is not the solution.

The Committee is of the view that the solution proposed to resolve the current issues must be in accordance with the Government’s policy to enable non-state higher education, including medical education.

The 5-member Presidential Committee has already addressed the Deans proposals, which are proposals which cannot be implemented in the current legal framework.

Furthermore, SAITM has already expressed its views on the Presidential Committee report, where SAITM will extend its fullest support to Government’s commitment to maintain quality and standards of medical education.

This includes broad-basing ownership and temporarily suspending the students’ admission for the MBBS programme.

SAITM also welcomes the initiative to legally establish standards, which should be applicable to both state and non-state faculties sans discrimination. Accreditation and quality assurance will ensure that standards in medical education are maintained.

SAITM management wishes to reiterate that the self-acclaimed SAITM Parents Association headed by Mr. Gamunu Wijeratne has no relation nor is it the official association of parents for SAITM.

It is an association where Wijeratne voices his personal opinion and not the view of the majority of parents. Therefore, SAITM and its Management will not be held responsible for the statements given through this association.

SAITM has and always will abide by the laws of the country and extend its fullest cooperation to the Government of Sri Lanka to expedite a just and expeditious solution for its MBBS graduates and undergraduates,’ SAITM said in a its statement.