SAITM Conflict Timeline

No Date Event  
1.A. 31.03.2008 BOI granted approval to Dr. Neville Fernando Investment (Pvt) Ltd to establish a higher education institute (SAITM) under 15 conditions.

·   05: SAITM should obtain approval from Ministry of Health prior to provide training in Health Science.

·   09: SAITM is permitted to offer degrees only after affiliating to a recognized foreign university with the prior approval of the BOI.

 

 

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1.B. 09.08.2010 BOI’s reply to SLMC queries on SAITM.

·   No approval to set up a medical school.

·   No affiliation to NNSMA of Russia.

·   SAITM application was not referred to scrutiny to an educational authority.

·   Dr. Neville Fernando has falsely informed BOI that SAITM was affiliated to NNSMA & SAITM was recognize by SLMC, GMC & WHO.

 

 

 

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2.A. 25.02.2009 Minimum Standards of Medical Education Gazette

·   Gazette No 1590/13 dated 25.02.2009

·   Under section 19 read with section 72 (Chapter 105) of Medical Ordinance

 

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2.B. 2011 SLMC guidelines and specifications on standards and criteria for accreditation of medical schools in Sri Lanka and courses of study provided by them (Latest edition published in 2011)  

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2.C. 03.10.2006 Hansard dated 03.10.2006

·   Dr. Rajitha Senaratne’s stand on minimum standards of medical education.

 

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3.A. No date Request by Dr. Neville Fernando to SLMC for permission to open a private medical college.

·   Sri Lankan professors & lecturers will be employed only if they are on sabbatical leave.

·   Promises a non-paying hospital.

 

 

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3.B. 16.02.2009 Letter to SLMC by Dr Neville Fernando regarding meeting with Vice Chancellor of NNSMA.

  • Duration of the course will be 5 years with 4 years being in Sri Lanka & final year in Russia.
  • False claim that degree is already recognized by SLMC & GMC.
 

 

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3.C. 28.05.2009 Letter by SLMC President to Dr. Neville Fernando on SAITM’s request for recognition of MD(NNSMA, Russia) study programme.

·   SLMC has not recognized any degree programme in Sri Lanka by NNSMA.

·   Minimum standards for institutions awarding medical degrees have been gazetted but have not been passes by our parliament.

·   SLMC has no legal provisions to recognize such degrees.

 

 

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3.D. 09.08.2010 Letter to Secretary, Ministry of Health by SLMC, President regarding SAITM degree.

·   SAITM cannot exist as an off shore campus of NNSMA.

·   MD, Russia by SAITM is not recognized by SLMC.

·   SLMC recommended SAITM applying for degree awarding status under universities act and medical ordinance.

 

 

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3.E. 07.11.2012 Letter by Sri Lankan Embassy of Russia informing that Russia has not established any educational branch in Sri Lanka.  

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3.F. 19.12.2012 Letter by National Accreditation agency of Russia informing that NNSMA of Russia has no affiliated universities in Sri Lanka & joint progamme of SAITM is not accredited in Russia.  

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4. September 2010 GMOA report on SAITM English

Sinhala

5.A. 03.12.2010 Letter to Minister of Higher Education by UGC Chairman with report of the review team which visited SAITM on 19.11.2010  

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5.B. 10.01.2011 Letter to Secretary, Ministry of Health by UGC Chairman with recommendations regarding granting degree awarding status to SAITM. Download
5.C. February 2011

Not available

UGC Programme Review Committee Report  

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5.D. April 2011

Not available

UGC Institutional Review Committee Report  

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5.E. July 2011

Not available

UGC Programme Review Committee Report 2  

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6.A. 30.08.2011 Gazette No 1721/19 dated 30.08.2011 granting conditional degree awarding status to SAITM.

·   Gazette has no effective date.

·   Gazette was issued without compliance certificate of SLMC.

·   8 conditions stated with stipulated time periods for each condition

ie. Establishing a hospital, clinical training & facilities etc

 

 

 

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6.B. 06.09.2011 GMOA TUA Notice to Minister of Health opposing the gazette granting conditional Degree Awarding Status to SAITM  

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6.C. 07.09.2011 Press Release by Secretary of Health following the meeting between Minister of Health, Maithreepala Sirisena, GMOA & SLMC  

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7. 22.02.2012

Not available

Gazette No 1746/11 dated 22.02.2012 appointing Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education as the Specified Authority.  

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8. 28.02.2012 Report of the five member committee report appointed by Minister of Health to look into matters related to SAITM.  

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9. January 2013

Not available

Higher Education Ministry Institutional Review

Focusing from inception to 2011 – Conditional Recognition from 2011

 

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10. February 2013

Not available

6 member committee appointed by the Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education  recommended back dating of degree awarding status of SAITM to the date of

inception (ie. 15.09.2009)

 

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11. 05.04.2013 Letter by Secretary, Ministry of Health to Mr. M.J.S. Fonseka (Attorney-at-law)

·   Minister of Health has not granted approval to SAITM to carry out a medical faculty.

·   Minister of Health has not granted approval to SAITM to award medical degrees in Sri Lanka.

 

 

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12. 22.08.2013 Gazette No 1824/21 dated 22.08.2013 regarding Specified Authority, Specified Professional Body & need for a compliance certificate.

·   Rule 01: Specified Authority has the powers relating to recognition of institutes as degree awarding institutes.

·   Rule 31: All non-state institutes awarding degrees in Medicine shall obtain the compliance certification from the relevant Specified Professional Body. 

 

 

 

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13. 26.09.2013 Gazette 1829/36 dated 26.09.2013 – Universities Act Amendment

·   Backdated the degree awarding status of SAITM to 2009

·   Issued without the compliance certificate of SLMC 

 

 

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14. 31.01.2014 Gazette No 1847/56 dated 31.01.2014 – Universities Act Amendment

·   Rule 31 made under section 137 – “Shall” was changed to “May”

·   Amended Rule 31: All non-state institutes awarding degrees in Medicine may obtain the compliance certification from the relevant Specified Professional Body. 

 

 

 

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15. 17.08.2014 Letter to SLMC by Dr. Neville Fernando inviting SLMC to visit SAITM & Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital

This was implied as acceptance of SLMC’s authority

 

 

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16.A. 27.08.2014 Letter to Dr. Neville Fernando by Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education regarding conditions specified in Gazette No 1721/19.

·   Letter states that SAITM has fulfilled all conditions within stipulated time period as indicated in Gazette Extraordinary No 1721/19 dated 30.08.2011.

 

 

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16.B. 27.08.2014 Letter to Dr. Neville Fernando by Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education regarding degree awarding status.

·   Letter states that SAITM has fulfilled all conditions within stipulated time period as indicated in Gazette Extraordinary No 1829/36 dated 26.09.2013.

 

 

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17.A. 17.09.2014 Letter to Attorney General by Secretary, Ministry of Health regarding Case No. SC (FR) 208/2014.

·   SAITM students have filed this case asking for government hospitals for their clinical training.

·   Minister of Health was agreeable to cooperate with SAITM & provide clinical training for students “registrable under the Medical Ordinance”

 

 

 

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17.B. 14.12.2015 Letter to Attorney General by Secretary, Ministry of Health regarding SC/Contempt Case No 03/2015 and SC/FR Application No. 208/2014.

Based on document 17A dated 17.09.2014

 

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17.C. 27.12.2015 SC/Contempt Case No 03/2015

Settlement – “Out of court”

 

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17.D. 06.01.2016 Letter to Medical Officer of Health, Kaduwela & Medical Superintendent of Base Hospital, Awissawella by Secretary, Ministry of Health regarding. SC/Contempt Case No 03/2015 and SC/FR Application No. 208/2014.

·   Letter informs the aforesaid persons to allow SAITM students to undergo clinical training at MOH Office, Kaduwela & Base Hospital, Awissawella .

·   F/R case no 208/2014 filed in Supreme Court by SAITM students against the Minister of Health, was settled out of courts in September 2014, on grounds that “in principle, Hon Minister is agreeable to cooperate with the SAITM in order to facilitate the required clinical training at designated state hospital in respect of the petitioners and the batches registrable under the Medical Ordinance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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17.E. 11.01.2016 Letter to Minister of Health by SLMC regarding Ministry’s decision allowing SAITM students to have their clinical training at Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital.  

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18. 12.02.2014 Gazette No 1891/09 dated 02.12.2014 – Universities Act Amendment

·   Rule 31 made under section 137 – “May” was changed back to “Shall” 

 

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19. A. 04.09.2015 SLMC Report on the Application for Recognition of SAITM and cover up letter to Minister of Health.

·   Conclusion: The degree awarded by SAITM should not be recognized for the purpose of registration under the medical ordinance.

 

 

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19.B. 17.02.2016 Letter to Secretary, Ministry of Health by Dr. Neville Fernando regarding SLMC report on SAITM.

Dr. Nevil Fernando wrongfully states that due procedure was followed in obtaining Degree Awarding Status.

 

 

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20. 10.06.2016 Letter to SLMC by SAITM requesting provisional registration to SAITM first batch students.  

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21. July 2016 Joint Statement on SAITM Medical Degree by Deans of State Medical Faculties  

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22.A. June 2016 CA/Writ/187/2016 requesting provisional registration to a SAITM graduate.

·   Written submissions by the petitioner (PC Romesh De Silva)

 

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22.B. June 2016 CA/Writ/187/2016.

·   Written submissions by the first respondent, SLMC (PC Ikram Mohammed) 

 

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23.A. August 2016 CA/Writ/187/2016.

·   Application for the intervention by GMOA. 

 

 

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23.B. August 2016 CA/Writ/187/2016.

Written submissions of GMOA to the application to intervene.

 

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24. 17.01.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President on crisis created by alleged private medical college, SAITM  

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25. 31.01.2017 CA/Writ/187/2016.

·   Judgment 

 

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26.A. 02.02.2017 GMOA TUA Notice to Health Minister on protest against the brutal attack on medical students. Download
26.B. 03.02.2017 GMOA letter to Minister of Health requesting to protect the authority of SLMC. Download
26.C. 07.02.2017 GMOA letter to Minister of Health on Court of Appeal verdict. Download
26.D. 08.02.2017 GMOA letter to Members of Parliament on the challenges the country would have to face due to SAITM crisis Download
26.E. 09.02.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC requesting to appeal against the Court of Appeal judgment (CA/WRIT/187/2016) Download
26.F. 09.02.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President on  the responsibility of the government on patient lives & Court of Appeal verdict on SAITM Download
26.G. 13.02.2017 Letter to SLMC by Minister of Higher Education on Issues regarding SAITM graduates. Download
26.H. 13.02.2017 Joint statement by Deans of State Medical Faculties on implications of court order in CA/Writ/187/2016. Download
26.I. 27.02.2017 GMOA letter to Minister of Health regarding the Court of Appeal verdict on SAITM. Download
26.J. 03.02.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President regarding SAITM crisis & doctors’ obligation. Download
26.K. 07.03.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President about stakeholder meeting to solve SAITM crisis. Download
26.L. 07.03.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC on current crisis regarding SAITM. Download
26.M. 08.03.2017 GMOA letter to Hon. Prime Minister requesting to discuss issues regarding standards of patient care in Sri Lanka in relation to the existence of SAITM. Download
27.A. 13.03.2017 Common Stand on SAITM by Deans of State Medical Faculties, Faculty of Medicine Teachers’ Associations & Government Medical Officers’ Association. Download
27.B. 13.03.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President on the Committee appointed to solve the practical difficulties in implementing the Court of Appeal verdict on SAITM. Download
28. 13.03.2017 SLMC appeal to Supreme Court against Court of Appeal verdict CA/Writ/187/2016. Download
29.A. 17.03.2017 GMOA letter to Minister of Health on establishing Minimum Standards of Medical Education. Download
29.B. 11.04.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC requesting a copy of the document prepared by SLMC on Minimum Standards of Medical Education. Download
29.C. 19.05.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC Requesting a joint stakeholder meeting to discuss the Minimum Standards of Medical Education in Sri Lanka. Download
29.D. 02.06.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC on Proposed Minimum Standards of Medical Education. Download
30.A. 02.03.2017

 

GMOA letter to His Excellency the President requesting to hold an inquiry about Additional Solicitor General’s actions endangering patient lives. Download
30.B. 03.04.2017 GMOA letter to Attorney General on the role of our legal system in ensuring patient’s right to quality healthcare. Download
30.C. 15.06.2017 GMOA letter to Attorney General on presenting the newly declared government stand to Supreme Court. Download
30.D. 16.05.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President requesting to present the government stand to Supreme Court Download
31.A. 06.04.2017 GMOA TUA Notice to Health Minister on Poor responses of settling SAITM issue. Download
31.B. 07.04.2017 Press release by Secretary of Higher Education proposing a solution for SAITM. Download
31.C. 11.04.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President on the press release by Ministry of Higher Education on SAITM crisis Download
31.D. 11.04.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC on Proposals tabled by the Ministry of Higher Education regarding SAITM issue. Download
31.E. 03.05.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President on the country being lead to crisis due to SAITM Download
32.A. 19.04.2017 Paper Advertisement 1

Lakbima Page 03 – ‘සයිටම් සඳහා රජයෙන් විසදුමක්’

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32.B. 28.04.2017 Paper Advertisement 2

Lakbima Page 03 – ‘සැමට අයිති අධ්‍යාපනයට අදට ඔබින නිදහසක්’

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32.C. 05.05.2017 Paper Advertisement 3

Mawbima Page 05 – ‘නම්‍යශීලි විසදුම් දෙන ආණ්ඩුවට උත්තර දෙන්නේ සහාසික වර්ජන වලින්ද’

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32.D. 15.05.2017 Paper Advertisement 4

Lakbima Page03 – ‘රජයේ නිවේදනය’

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32.E. 17.05.2017 Letter forwarded by Presidential Secretariat to SLMC & UGC

‘සයිටම් ගැටලුව සඳහා රජය මඟින් යෝජනා කරනු ලබන විසදුම්’

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32.F. 19.05.2017 GMOA TUA Notice to Health Minister on failure to solve 5 issues related to SAITM. Download
32.G. 12.06.2017 GMOA letter to Minister of Health requesting to reappoint Prof. Carlo Fonseka as SLMC President Download
32.H. 25.05.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC on the government proposals for SAITM issue. Download
33.A. 20.04.2017 AMS letter to Secretary of Health informing the decision to refrain from teaching students of SAITM & Kothalawala Defence University (KDU). Download
33.B. 25.04.2017 GMOA letter to Secretary of Health informing the decision to refrain from teaching students of SAITM & Kothalawala Defence University (KDU). Download
33.C. 03.05.2017 GMOA letter to all consultants of Awissawella Base Hospiltal on providing clinical training for SAITM students at Avissawella BH. Download
33.D. 21.07.2017 GMOA letter to all Deans of state medical faculties informing that GMOA members would refrain from teaching medical students until they return to academic work as an entire batch. Download
34.A. 25.06.2017 Press statement by Presidential Secretariat after meeting held with GMOA & other stakeholders on 24.06.2017 following a continuous TUA. Download
34.B. 26.06.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President on the discrepancies in the press release by Presidential Secretariat. Download
35.A. 22.06.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President on Health Minister, Rajitha Senaratne’s attempts to appoint a President to SLMC violating the Medical Ordinance. Download
35.B. 10.07.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC on Health Minister violating the Medical Ordinance. Download
35.C. 11.07.2017 GMOA letter to clergy requesting to intervene against the irresponsible actions of Ministers & save patient lives. Download
35.D. 17.07.2017 GMOA letter to Hon. Prime Minister regarding conduct of Dr. Rajitha Senarathne as Minister of Health, disrupting the ongoing discussions on SAITM issue. Download
35.E. 25.07.2017 GMOA letter to Hon. Prime Minister regarding present crisis on SAITM issue. Download
35.F. 27.07.2017 GMOA letter to Hon. Prime Minister about ongoing discussions on SAITM Issue. Download
36.A. 22.03.2017 GMOA letter to Inspector General of Police about law being not implemented on SAITM related matters Download
36.B. 27.06.2017 GMOA letter to Inspector General of Police complaining about parties that violate the universal norms. Download
36.C. 03.07.2017 GMOA letter to Inspector General of Police complaining about Dr. Neville Fernando’s illegal actions & statements Download
36.D. 03.08.2017 GMOA letter to Minister Sagala Rathnayaka regarding students in custody and attempted abduction of a Medical Faculty student leader Download
37. 31.07.2018 The proposals by Deans of eight state medical faculties were sent to Minister of Higher Education. Download
38.A. 21.07.2017 GMOA letter to Secretary of Health requesting a copy of the agreement on government taking over Neville Fernando Hospital under the Right to Information Act. Download
38.B. 01.08.2017

 

Tri-party MOU signed between Neville Fernando, Government & Bank of Ceylon. Download
38.C. 02.08.2017 GMOA letter to Secretary of Health requesting details on the staff of Neville Fernando Hospital under the Right to Information Act. Download
38.D. 14.08.2017 GMOA complaint to Bribery Commission requesting an official investigation on alleged taking over of Neville Fernando Hospital by the government. Download
38.E. 14.09.2017 GMOA letter to Secretary of Health about the requested details of Neville Fernando Hospital not being received. Download
38.F. 18.09.2017 GMOA letter to Auditor General on misuse of public funds in taking over Neville Fernando Hospital Download
39.A. 07.09.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President about attempts to transfer the powers of SLMC to other parties. Download
39.B. 11.09.2017 Harsha De Silva Committee Report on SAITM

(Five Member Committee was appointed by HE the President on 03.09.2017)

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39.C. 14.09.2017 GMOA letter to Hon. Prime Minister on proposed Interim Accreditation Authority Download
39.D. 19.09.2017 GMOA letter to SLMC requesting to declare the officials stand of the Sri Lanka Medical Council regarding the contents of Dr. Harsha De Silva’s Committee report on SAITM. Download
39.E. 28.09.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President informing about Attorney General not presenting the government stand to Supreme Court Download
40.A. 03.10.2017 GMOA letter to His Excellency the President about Minister Rajitha Senaratne appointing Prof. Colvin Gunaratne as SLMC President, violating the consensus reached. Download
40.B. 03.10.2017 GMOA letter to Hon. Prime Minister on appointment of Prof Colvin Gunaratne as President of SLMC Download
41.A. 03.10.2017 Press release by Ministry of Higher Education requesting medical students to restart academic work. Download
41.B. 04.10.2017 Paper advertisement by University Grants Commission requesting medical students to restart academic work. Download
41.C. 10.10.2017 GMOA letter to Judicial Service Commission requesting an inquiry regarding a paper advertisement by Ministry of Higher Education. Download
41.D. 10.10.2017 GMOA letter to Judicial Service Commission requesting an inquiry regarding a paper advertisement by UGC. Download
42. Other Medical Ordinance Download
43. Other Universities Act Download

 

44.A 12.07.2017 GMC Black listed SAITM
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44.B No Date SAITM Press Release

එක්සත් රාජධානියේ GMC හි අයදුම්පත් ලියාපදිංචි කිරීම සම්බන්දයෙන් සයිටම් ආයතනය කරුණු පැහැදිලි කරයි

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44.C No Date SAITM Press Release

SAITM Clarifies media statements on Registrations of Applications at the GMC UK

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44.D No Date SAITM Press Release

සයිටම් උපාධිධාරීන්ට බ්‍රිතාන්‍ය ලියාපදිංචිය අහිමි වී ඇත්තේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා වෛද්‍ය සභාවේ තීරණය නිසයි – සයිටම් ආයතනය කරුණු පැහැදිලි කරයි

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44. E 23.09.2017 GMC Confirms they do not grant Retrospective Recognition Download
45. A 07.10.2017 Joint Letter on SAITM issue by Most Ven. Mahanayaka Theros to His Excellency the President Download
45. B 07.10.2017 Joint Letter on SAITM issue by Most Ven. Mahanayaka Theros to Hon. Prime Minister Download