Rajarata PU opening opposed by JVP rebel controlled student union

February 5, 2012, 9:18 pm , The Island.

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Medical undergraduates of the Rajarata University, who have been agitating for a setting up of a Professorial Unit (PU) in the Anuradhapura teaching hospital for their clinical training, now are protesting against opening it on February 09 to coincide with the Deyata Kurula development exhibition.

Convener of the Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee Nilan Fernando told The Island all its requirement had yet to be completed but the government wanted to open it for cheap publicity.

Fernando accused Rajarata Vice Chancellor, Prof. K. A. Nandasena, of deliberately delaying it.

"University administration promised us to open the unit on Dec. 15, but they didn’t meet the promise," he said adding that the unit was still in the same state.

The JVP rebel group – led student union said that the professorial unit was still not ready with the necessary equipment and human resources.

Fernando said that 188 students had been waiting for clinical training for over seven months, while parallel student batches of other medical faculties had passed out.

Denying students claims, VC Prof. Nandasena said that they would open the unit on Feb. 09 with all the facilities.

"We will admit patients to the unit on Feb. 15," he said asking, "If it was not complete how could we admit patients?