Committee to be appointed to formulate national medical education policy – PM Harini

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced that a committee will be formed to create a national medical education policy. This decision comes after student unions expressed the need for such a policy. The Prime Minister encouraged these student unions to share their thoughts and suggestions for this policy. She spoke about this during a meeting on February 27 at Temple Trees with members of the Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee, according to the PM’s Office. During the meeting, the committee discussed the various challenges university students are currently facing. The Prime Minister assured that students' freedoms will not be restricted and mentioned that future discussions will include Vice-Chancellors to address these issues. Health Ministry officials indicated that the delays in providing internship training for medical graduates are mainly due to issues with accommodation. They noted that efforts are underway to fix these problems, and they have requested approval to add five more hospitals to enhance internship training options. Officials from the Ministries of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education pointed out that funds have already been set aside to build new hostel facilities at the Universities of Wayamba, Kurunegala, Kuliyapitiya, Sabaragamuwa, and Moratuwa. Construction will begin once the land allocation is finalized. The meeting also highlighted transportation challenges for medical graduates training at the Kurunegala and Kuliyapitiya faculties. Discussions will take place with the Sri Lanka Transport Board to find suitable solutions. Furthermore, it was confirmed that there is ongoing attention to improve facilities in medical faculties, and no decisions have been made to halt post-intern appointments. Among those present at the discussion were Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Chairman of the University Grants Commission Senior Professor Kapila Senevirathne, officials from the Ministries of Education and Health, and members of the Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee, including convener Navodya Marasinghe.