A group of us, medical students and graduates from SAITM, embarked on a trip to Kandy with excitement. We were eager to attend the College of Surgeons Sessions, a prestigious annual event, just like we had in previous years.
Our arrival on August 17th, 2017, started smoothly. We registered at the venue, paid the fees, and settled in for the informative lectures. However, things took a turn for the worse the following day.
Unwelcome Guests
On August 18th, as we entered the hall for the second day of sessions, a senior official from the College of Surgeons, stopped us. His demeanor shifted abruptly when he learned we were from SAITM. He curtly informed us that we were not allowed to participate due to an undisclosed "problem" that arose the previous day.
Confusion and disappointment washed over us. We politely inquired about the issue, highlighting our attendance at the previous day's sessions without any problems. The official remained dismissive, insisting our presence would disrupt the conference.
Despite having registered and pre-interns already attending, we were denied entry. The situation escalated when we were offered a refund in a hostile manner, implying our presence was unwelcome.
Feeling ostracized and bewildered, we decided to leave gracefully. Before departing, we sought to thank the College President, for the opportunity. While he expressed disappointment with the turn of events, his hands were tied due to the collective decision made by the universities to exclude SAITM participants. He offered his personal support for the future and wished us well in our studies.
Disheartened, we left the Grand Kandyan Hotel, our ambitions of learning and networking dashed. Two pre-interns who had registered for the entire event attempted to obtain written confirmation of the exclusion policy. They were refused, but promptly refunded their registration fee upon mentioning the financial inconvenience caused.
This unexpected turn of events left us feeling ostracized within the medical community. It was a disheartening end to what promised to be a valuable learning experience.
The incident was widely reported in the media, including a detailed article titled "Controversy over SAITM graduates, students being denied entry to Annual College of Surgeons sessions" published in the Sunday Island on August 20, 2017.
A Remarkable Turn of Events
A significant milestone was achieved on September 12, 2024, when a distinguished aspiring surgeon and alumna of SAITM’s inaugural batch delivered an Oration at the prestigious annual academic session of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka. This momentous occasion marked a remarkable turnaround from the discriminatory treatment faced by SAITM students and graduates in the past.
The young surgeon’s achievement, recognized and celebrated by the entire medical community, stands as a testament to the resilience and talent of SAITM’s students. It is a powerful reminder that prejudice and discrimination can be overcome through hard work, dedication, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.
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