The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday said the proposed Qualification Framework, Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions Act proposed by the government specified that a structure superior to the University Grants Commission would be established.

It also said this structure would override the powers of professional bodies such as the Sri Lanka Medical Council and it would cripple the education and health sectors of the country. GMOA Secretary Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa said the GMOA had closely studied the Bill which the government said it had postponed, and said it was revealed that the draft bill had many clauses detrimental to the higher education system in the country, including the state university system. He said there were many deficiencies and areas of confusion in the draft bill.

"Upon close perusal of the draft act shows that a superior structure to the University Grants Commission is proposed to be established which undermines the Universities Act. It will override the powers of professional bodies such as the Sri Lanka Medical Council which is established under the Medical Ordinance," Dr. Epitakaduwa said.

The SLMC is the sole organisation that overlooks the quality and safety of medical services and medical education, he said. "It is unacceptable to undermine that power with the establishment of a superior body which comprises members who are outside the profession and hence lack the knowledge and the capacity to make decisions about the medical profession," he said. "Such an ill-conceived bill would only cause irreparable damage to the long established free education system. We vehemently oppose the proposed bill and urge the government to take every necessary step to protect the existing university system in the country and bring tranquil to the current turmoil," he said.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka