Special O/L Exam at 10 centres

Dharme Sri Abeyratne

COLOMBO: The Ministry of Education and the Department of Examinations have decided to hold a special GCE Ordinary Level Examination in due course in respect of about 500 students who could not sit for the Examination at ten examination centres due to prevailing condition in the respective areas.

The Centres are: Examination Centre: Mahaweligama M.V. Serunuwara, Co-ordinating Centre Somadevi M.V. Somapura; Schools: Mahaweligama Cluster M.M.V.Serunuwara; Mahaweligama Cluster M.V.; Seruwila M.V.Seruwila, Dehiwatta M.V., Dehiwatta, Neelapola M.V., Somadevi M.V., Somapura M.V. Private candidates. Coordinating Centres: Batticaloa, Valachchena M.V., Examination Centres: Kadiraweli Vigneshwara M.V.,Vakarai M.V.Vakarai and Oddamawadi M.V.

Secretary to the Education Ministry Ariyarathne Hewage said that reports have been received at the Ministry about the 'problematic situation` in conducting the GCE O/L at the Centres Serunuwara, Somapura, Valachchenai and Batticaloa.

"Although alternative Centres have been established to enable the students of the above examination centres to appear for the examination, relating to displaced students, some of them have been deprived of the opportunity to appear for the examination in such centres. There are about 500 students appearing for the examination at these centres.

"Staff of the Commissioner General of Examinations has made further inquiries relating to these matters and it has been confirmed that such difficulties are existing.

Accordingly, the Ministry has decided to take action without causing any injustice to the students who will not be able to appear for the examination only in the centres indicated above. According to Education Ministry sources the decision was taken to hold a special examination separately in due course.

The Ministry has also appealed to the students and the parents to act peacefully without being misled by false information spread by various forces.