The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 From the Minister’s answer, two priorities emerge: developing physical resources and addressing human resource shortages. You mentioned nursing. Let me note: Allied health degrees—nursing, medical laboratory sciences (MLS), and pharmacy—are provided by five universities: Peradeniya, Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura, Eastern, and Jaffna. Intake for January 2025 has been done. However, Ruhuna University’s 17th batch (students who did A/L in 2023) has not yet been admitted. The main problem is staff shortages: for Allied Health Sciences faculties, UGC’s approved staff-student ratio is 1:18; where 105 staff are needed, only 43 are approved, and just 26 are in post. In nursing alone, with 663 students, 66 academic staff are required, but only about 40 are in place. While I accept administrative shortages, at minimum please admit the 250 students awaiting admission at Ruhuna and commence the programme—hire academic and non-academic staff even on contract as an interim measure. This is tied to the original question because of national HR shortages in nursing, MLTs, and pharmacists. Another risk is that many allied health postgraduate cohorts have gone overseas and may not return after four years. We seek solutions from you and the Education Minister/Prime Minister for these 250 students.