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Criticism mounts over KDU’s medical intake restrictions
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
The government’s recent decision to limit admissions to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Medical Faculty exclusively to foreign students and cadet officers for the academic years 2025 and 2026 has sparked criticism from both parliamentarians and the general public.
Raising the issue in Parliament this week, Opposition MP Nalin Bandara questioned the origins of the decision, casting doubt on whether it reflects the stance of the National People’s Power (NPP) or the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). “I don’t know if this is a decision of the NPP or the JVP, because these are two parties. I don’t believe this is a decision of the NPP,” the MP said during his address on Friday (May 23).
He further highlighted the financial and human capital outflow caused by such policies. “Around 700 to 800 students leave the country annually to pursue medical education. That’s a loss of approximately USD 12 million each year. We strongly oppose this decision,” he added.
Parents of prospective medical students have also voiced concerns.
Deputy Defence Minister (Retd) Major General Aruna Jayasekara confirmed the policy shift during a special statement in Parliament. “There is a student enrolment notice for the KDU Medical Faculty. There is an amendment to be made. Only cadets and international students will be accepted in the 2025/2026 intake,” he said.
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