The 12th Faculty of Medicine in Sri Lanka has been established at Uva Wellassa University in Badulla.
Given the absence of a professorial unit for the medical degree programmes at this faculty, the Government, responding to a special request from Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, has decided to construct a professorial unit.
Construction commenced yesterday (26) for a 10-storey professorial unit, funded with Rs.2.26 billion from the Treasury. Construction of the unit is expected to be completed by December 2025.
The Government also plans to establish specialized departments in physical medicine, surgery, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry within the unit. Medical courses will be facilitated by assigning doctors and professors to these departments.
The University Grants Commission anticipates enrolling 50 medical students into the faculty for in February 2024. These students are expected to complete their four-year education and commence their final year education and training in the new unit.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed specialist Dr. Jayantha Balawardena as the inaugural Chancellor of the Uva Wellassa University.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction was presided over by Minister De Silva. State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Badulla District MP Sudarshana Dehipitiya, Uva Wellassa University Chancellor Dr. Jayantha Balawardena, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunga and several others also attended the ceremony.
Minister De Silva, speaking at the event highlighted President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Government’s commitment to producing more doctors to enhance Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector. “The construction of the professorial unit at Uva Wellassa University’s Medical Faculty is a significant step in this direction, funded through this year’s Budget under the Finance Ministry,” the Minister said.
“Today marks the realization of a dream for the children of the Badulla district. In the future, students graduating from Medical Faculties in these areas will have the opportunity to be educated at the Uva Wellassa Medical Faculty from the comfort of their homes,” he added.
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