Government Shuts KDU Medical Entry for Local A/L Students
- CNL Reporter
- May 27, 2025
- Political
- KDU
- 0 Comments
In a sudden move, the government has barred Sri Lanka’s local G.C.E. A/L qualified students from entering the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) medical program in 2025. This decision has shocked many aspiring students and is expected to result in a loss of nearly Rs. 2 billion in revenue.
KDU has traditionally admitted both cadets and fee-paying day scholars to its degree programs. In 2023 and 2024, over 120 students were enrolled in the medical program, paying Rs. 12.5 to 15 million each.
In May 2025, the university opened applications at an increased fee of Rs. 17.5 million, but withdrew the offer just hours later following a parliamentary statement by Defence Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera.
No official explanation was provided, but pressure from government factions and the Inter University Students Federation is suspected. Many affected students are now expected to study medicine abroad, contributing to a foreign exchange drain
