July 07, Colombo (LNW): A legal dispute concerning the exclusion of Sri Lankan students from the MBBS programme at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) may soon reach an amicable resolution, the Supreme Court was informed today (07).
The development follows the university’s recent decision to resume admissions for local applicants, a move that could render the matter moot.
The case was initiated by a group of ten prospective medical students who had sought entry into KDU’s undergraduate medical programme. They filed a Fundamental Rights application challenging what they saw as an arbitrary and unjustified decision to deny local students the opportunity to enrol.
The petition named a range of officials and institutions as respondents, including the KDU administration, the University Grants Commission, and several senior government figures such as the Minister of Education, the Minister of Health, and the Prime Minister.
When the matter came before the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and Justices Mahinda Samayawardena and Menaka Wijesundara, legal counsel for the petitioners indicated that the basis of the petition may no longer exist, given the university’s reversal of its earlier stance.
Barrister Hafeel Farisz, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, informed the court that a settlement was under consideration and that his clients were in the process of reviewing the new developments. He added that a final position would be presented after obtaining formal instructions from the students involved.
The court was satisfied with the update and agreed to adjourn the matter until July 24, providing time for both parties to finalise their respective positions.
Legal representation for the petitioners included Hafeel Farisz, alongside Nishika Fonseka and Shannon Tillekeratne, instructed by Shayamalee Athukorale. Deputy Solicitor General Nirmalan Wigneswaran appeared on behalf of the KDU and other respondents.
