Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa
2026-03-03
Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the ongoing effort to upgrade diploma nursing schools to degree-level institutions, confirming that the process began during discussions held between September and November 2024 under the Prime Minister's health portfolio and is now being managed jointly by the Ministries of Education and Higher Education through a committee. He outlined the complexity of the undertaking, which involves converting existing nursing schools rather than establishing new institutions, along with requirements for academic staffing, facility upgrades, and public service integration of graduates. While committing to proceeding as quickly as possible, he declined to provide a firm timeline for completion.
We are already inducting graduates into the nursing service, and have begun the process to upgrade diploma nursing schools to degree level. Discussions started between September and November 2024 when the Hon. Prime Minister held the Health portfolio, and now continue jointly with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education through a committee. This is complex: rather than starting a new university or faculty, it requires converting existing nursing schools, providing requisite academic staff, upgrading facilities, and ensuring integration of graduates into the public service. We will proceed as fast as possible, but I cannot give a firm timeline today.