Education Deputy Minister Madhura Seneviratne informed Parliament yesterday that the current restriction on admitting local civil students to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) medical faculty will continue until the Government completes a comprehensive review of the country’s medical workforce requirements.
He clarified that the restriction—imposed from the third batch of admissions via the Z-score system through the University Grants Commission—is a temporary measure. Stressing that the Government has no intention of closing any university, the Deputy Minister reiterated that the move is part of an ongoing assessment and not a permanent policy shift.
Responding to a query raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake, Seneviratne noted that while the restriction had drawn criticism, particularly over concerns about its impact on student access, it is solely intended to allow time for a detailed evaluation of Sri Lanka’s future needs for medical practitioners.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several opposition MPs strongly criticised the decision, arguing that it had deprived both local and international students of vital educational opportunities. They called on the Government to reverse the restriction and ensure continued access to medical education through institutions such as KDU.
