Only the invigilators will be allowed to use mobile phones in the examination centers during the 2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations which is scheduled to begin on Monday (25).

Addressing a special media briefing held in the department today, Examinations Commissioner General Amit Jayasundara said that assistant principals or staff are not allowed to use mobile phones this time. All preparations have been made to commence the A/L examinations on Monday.

"The examination papers related to the first six days will be sent to the examination centres tomorrow. The examination will begin on Monday in 2,312 centres and conclude on December 20.

"A total of 333,183 candidates are sitting for the exam this year. There are 253,390 school applicants and 79,795 private applicants among the total candidates," the Commissioner General said.

Following a joint programme initiated by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Department of Examinations, four candidates who were unable to reach their examination centres due to floods in Matara, were transported to their respective centres with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Navy, Examination Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara said.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Monday it has approved a USD-200-million loan to modernise Sri Lanka's power sector infrastructure, improving network reliability and supporting renewables integration.

Speaker Ashoka Ranwala said investigations will be held into the condcut of Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan in Parliament last week to ascertain whether he had resorted to any indisciplined or unethical behaviour.

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said his successor Anura Kumara Dissanayake should fully implement the “vision document” adopted with India last year.

A Sri Lankan fishing trawler, was seized by the Maldivian Coast Guard after it was found carrying over 450 kilograms of illicit drugs. The haul included 344 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and 124 kg of cocaine.

The Irrigation Department has issued a prior flood warning in several areas from November 25 to November 28, 2024 due to the current low-pressure situation in the Bay of Bengal and its possible further developments within the next few days.

The Local Government elections will be held at the beginning of next year, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya’s residence in Ambalangoda was robbed, and items valued at approximately Rs. 300,000 stolen, police said. Deshapriya’s wife lodged a complaint with the Ambalangoda Police regarding the incident.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff level agreement with Sri Lankan authorities, paving the way for the next tranche, for US$ 333 million, of the four-year Extended Fund Facility.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) mandated the implementation of mosquito control programmes at all examination centres for the 2024 GCE Advanced Level examination. Accordingly, candidates have been instructed to bring mosquito repellent to the exam centres.