Largest number of candidates in SL’s AL history

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

The largest number of candidates are sitting this year’s Advanced Level Examination for the first time in the history of the examination, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

The minister said that 294,800 candidates will face the examination which will commence on August 8 at 2,400 examination centres throughout the country.

”This is 50,000 more than the number which sat the examination last year.

More than 45,000 examination staff will also be engaged in examination related activities during the examination period.

The examination will be held until September 3,” Gunawardena said.

The examination will be monitored and co-ordinated through 300 examination co-ordinating centres. In addition, 33 district co-ordinating centres will also be established.

Examination Commissioner General Anura Edirisinghe said that no candidate will be allowed to sit the examination unless he or she produced the national identity card. “Unlike during the last examinations, the national identity card is compulsory for this time,” he said.

He added that the Examinations Department has taken initiatives to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.

Candidates are strictly advised to obey and follow the examination rules so as to ensure a trouble free operation during the examination process.

“The Examination Department will take tough action against candidates who flout examination rules,” the Commissioner said.

Advanced Level answer scripts evaluation process will continue from September 9, he added.