Colombo: Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced the formation of a committee tasked with formulating a national policy on medical education. This initiative comes in response to requests by student unions who have emphasized the necessity for such a policy. The Prime Minister also encouraged student unions to contribute their views and proposals to aid in the development of this policy.

According to News.LK, the Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion at Temple Trees with members of the Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee. The committee highlighted the current issues faced by university students, prompting the Prime Minister to reassure that students’ freedom will remain unrestricted. She also mentioned future discussions with Vice-Chancellors to address these concerns.

Officials from the Ministry of Health explained that delays in providing internship training for medical graduates are mainly due to accommodation challenges. They noted that steps are being taken to resolve the
se issues, including seeking approval to allocate five additional hospitals to enhance internship training opportunities.

Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education reported that funds have been allocated for new hostel facilities at several universities, including Wayamba, Kurunegala, Kuliyapitiya, Sabaragamuwa, and Moratuwa. Construction will begin once land allocation is completed. There was also a focus on addressing transportation issues faced by medical graduates at the Kurunegala and Kuliyapitiya faculties, with planned discussions with the Sri Lanka Transport Board to find a solution.

Further, it was disclosed that efforts are underway to improve facilities in medical faculties, and no decision has been made to halt post-intern appointments.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Chairman of the University Grants Commission Senior Professor Kapila Senevirathne, as well as
officials from the Ministries of Education and Health, and members of the Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee, led by its convener Navodya Marasinghe.