The Anti Corruption Front (ACF) and the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF ) yesterday, vehemently condemned the statements made by Minister S.B. Dissanayke and Lakshman Kiriella on August 09, in support of SAITM.
“We strongly condemn the statement made by S.B. Dissanayke as the former Minister of Higher Education, regarding the state universities while comparing them with the so called medical college SAITM,” said the Convener of IUSF Lahiru Weerasekara.
“These two ministers are pointing out issues in state universities.The public voted them to parliament to address these issues. However, although they fail to intervene in the issues faced by the state university students, they bravely speak out for SAITM.”
“S.B. also said some overseas institutes offering medical degrees are willing to come to Sri Lanka, but they are reluctant due to the issue that had arisen regarding SAITM and they are eagerly awaiting the government's decision. This itself bears witness as to the number of foreign investors eying Sri Lanka's education sector.The government should not act in a manner that pleases foreign investors and sell our country's free education. If this happens, the entire student body will step on to the streets and fight to the end, until our mission for free education is accomplished,” he added.
“Minister Kiriella said that the previous regime was responsible for the establishment of SAITM, hence the present government is left with no other option but to proceed with that decision. The public voted expecting ‘change’ as promised in their election propaganda. Therefore what is the point of having a set of ministers whose backbones are not strong enough to change the dictatorial decisions taken by the Rajapaksa Regime? When the majority of the public are against this so called medical college, why can’t the government take a firm decision regarding this issue?" asked Chameera Perera of ACF.
He also pointed out that such statements by a minister who held the ministerial post for higher education and the present higher education minister will only increase the people's resentment of the government’s behavior.
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