Dr Sarath Obeysekera

The Medical Faculty Students’ Parents Association (MFSPA) launched the fast unto death a short while ago in front of the University Grant Commission (UGC) premises at Ward place, Colombo 7.

During our younger days our parents ( headed often by the father ) never encouraged the children to evade classes or resort to any activity which can be detrimental to their education .I was surprised when the President of the Medical Students’- Parents’ association ( himself is a medical doctor ?) announced that they will be fasting unto death until government abolishes SAITM.

Is this the example a father wants to show to the children?

If he fasts unto death ,millions of rupees spent  by the state with tax payers’ money to make him a doctor will be wasted?

I was told by a friend of mine who studied in Russia during communist regime that ,when he was travelling by bus in Sri Lanka ,few medical students walked into the bus and asked money for their movement against SAITM and to stop propagating UPHADI KADA” ( shops for Degree Awarding )

My friend was bold enough to ask them Did all of you go tuition  before you were selected to medcial school ?” They Said yes .He asked whether they had to pay the tuition master .They confirmed that it was not free .

Then he posed the question ,”Then tuition master was also running a shop” selling education ? Then they were dumbfounded and quickly retreated.

He told me that many local medical students do fear that their places may be taken over by more English Speaking,  Effluent SAITM students and they will not be able to become consultants or start Private Medical Clinics >That may be the reason why they want  to be abolished as they are jealous ?

These parents should somehow push the children to get education rather ruining the future .They need to more kind  and compassionate .

Fathers who are fasting until death may be waiting  for a President or Ex-president to bring a glass , of king coconut like the drama unfolded in front of UN office in Colombo  some time back ?

God bless who want to give life for a just cause, but not these idiotic parents

Dr Sarath Obeysekera