A Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) branch will be formed at the nationalised Neville Fernando Hospital and the battle to abolish the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) will continue, GMOA Secretary Naveen De Soysa said.
Speaking at a meeting at the Fort Railway station yesterday. he said that 186 trade unions, 12 political parties, the University Students’ Federation and the GMOA would continue its battle to abolish SAITM.
GMOA Chairman Anuruddha Padeniya said that SAITM should be either nationalised or abolished in order to present solutions to this issue.
“If SAITM students should receive justice,it has to be done through a properly established commission and it has to ensure that no negative influence will be created on the patients,” he added.
Padeniya also said that the Government should make use of the power of the trade union forces of the country to lead the country on the right track.
Padeniya further said that they would continue this battle until legal action is taken against all the Ministers who provided illegal support to SAITM.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Politburo Member Lal Kantha said that a national trade action day will be announced and the battle against SAITM will continue with the participation of all the trade unions in the country.
Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee Convener Rayan Jayalath said that six medical faculties had engaged in a satyagraha for 442 days up to today and the sayyagraha will continue.
“SAITM is backed up by the country’s politicians and the legal system and this has to be changed,” Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Joint Chairman Ven. Hadigalle Wimalasara Thera said.
Inter University Students’ Federation Convener Lahiru Weerasekara said that the Government’s sole aim is to gazette minimum standards in medical education which are in favour for the existence of SAITM.
Colombo Medical Faculty Senior Lecturer M.C. Weerasinghe said, “The standards at the Neville Fernando Hospital will be maintained since it is converted into a state owned hospital. Therefore, the Government’s aim would be to continue SAITM along with the nationalised Neville Fernando Hospital”
GMOA Assistant Secretary Haritha Aluthge, Government Dental Surgeons’ Association Chairman Ananda Ratnayake and Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) member Chameera Koswatte also participated.