Education authorities yesterday said, in line with recommendations made by an independent specialist committee appointed to probe the recent alleged leak of the Grade Five scholarship examination paper, it has been decided not to hold the examination again and award marks to all students who sat for the exam for the three disputed questions.

This was conveyed through a statement signed by the Education Science and Technology and Ministry Secretary and Commissioner General for Examinations Amit Jayasundera. The committee appointed on the instructions of the Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya had pointed out that holding a fresh examination will bring immense mental stress on students who are as young as 10 years.

It will also be stressful for teachers, students and the entire school system, they had pointed out while recommending the best solution will be to award marks for all students for the three disputed questions without holding a fresh examination.

According to a preliminary report from the Criminal Investigation Department, given to the Secretary to the Ministry of Education it has been mentioned that the questions which were circulated on social media had been discussed prior to the exam and three questions of the Scholarship exam (first part) had been leaked.

However, the CID has informed there is no evidence to suggest that other questions in addition to the three disputed question has been leaked prior to the exam.

Education authorities said the above decision had been taken as the best alternative and also as a measure not to cause any injustice to students. v The Examination Department also said perusing the answer sheets will begin as soon as possible and results of the examination will be released at the earliest.

Earlier, an official of the National Institute of Education and a tutor had been remanded in connection to the leak. The probe regarding the incident is still continuing.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said.

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Following are 11 key points from the President’s Government Policy Statement;

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala informed Parliament that nomination of Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been accepted as the Opposition Leader of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

National People's Power (NPP) Gampaha MP Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed his name, and the nomination was confirmed by Vijitha Herath.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3. The adjournment followed the President’s delivery of the government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament earlier today.