Time to think about a Private Medical College for Sri Lanka

Shenali Waduge

With the recent focus on education it is timely to seriously address a politically shy topic – establishing a private medical college in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s education is today riding a rough tide. We cannot be satisfied in maintaining the same universities / institutes and schools as in the past. Development and changes need to take place. The extremists amongst us may cry foul about the establishment of a private medical college but will they provide an answer to stop the drain of foreign exchange when children from affluent families depart to study and become a doctor in a foreign country & perhaps decide never to return to Sri Lanka?

The present education systems offer cut-off marks to assist students in remote areas of Sri Lanka to gain admission to universities/medical colleges. Thus, extremists should not cry foul over matters that are naturally beyond their control.

Without the terrorist element Sri Lanka is undoubtedly the most preferred tourist destination. Yet, at a time when the country’s tourism is taking a dip, collaboration with a good medical institute would do wonders for our nation. The institute would be able to attract students from the region as well indirectly promote tourism. The budget airline service would also add to the attraction as traveling to see one’s child in Sri Lanka would be definitely more cost-effective than travelling to China or any other part of the world.

Doctors have always been regarded as men & women with the gift of healing as they save people’s lives. People will always flock towards doctors who provide a “Quality Service” and not those who become doctors just to become rich. Whether one is born into a rich family or poor the way a doctor sets about his profession will tell how far his/her future is likely to go.