*Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of P’deniya closed indefinitely

The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of the University of Peradeniya has been closed indefinitely from last Friday (Jan. 30) due to the lack of hospitals for clinical practice of undergraduates. The closure of faculty resulted about 460 students having to stay at home.

The faculty was commenced two and half years ago and there are three batches in the faculty. The faculty was specially designed for nursing, medical laboratory services, radiography, pharmacy and physiotherapy studies.

Convener of the Inter University Students Federation Udul Premaratne told The Island that the university authorities had not initiated a proper plan for students clinical practices when the faculty was commenced.

"Students must have clinical practice from the third year. With the first batch of students now entering the third year, the problem has begun. There are only 89 students in the batch, but the university administration closed the faculty for all students,"Premaratne said.

Dean of the Faculty Dr. Chula Gunasekera when contacted by The Island said that the hospital directors continuously refuse students for clinical practices. Because of that, the university administration had no other option but closing the faculty.

"The University administration has filed a case before the Supreme Court against the health authorities. We have to wait until the court decides. We can’t open the university before that," Dr. Gunasekera said.

Secretary of the Health Ministry, Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage was not available for comment.