The Attorney General yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers has recommended not to re-conduct the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination taking into consideration the mental stress students would undergo and the adverse effects it would have on the scheduled examination calendar.
Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne appearing for the Attorney General submitted to court that the Cabinet of Ministers has further recommended awarding three marks to each student who sat for the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination as a solution to the three leaked questions.
Solicitor General Dayaratne made these remarks when three Fundamental Rights petitions filed by several students and their parents, seeking to cancel the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, were taken up before the Supreme Court.
Dayaratne submitted to the Court that a Cabinet memorandum, submitted by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as the Education Minister explained the government’s position, indicating that three marks could be allocated for each student concerning the three disputed questions.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General has filed a motion before the Supreme Court seeking a fuller bench comprising five or more judges to hear the Fundamental Rights petitions. This request is to be referred to the Chief Justice.
A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardhena fixed the matter for argument on December 11.
On November 18, the Supreme Court issued an interim order preventing authorities from taking steps to release the marks and ranks of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination held on September 15. The Court further issued an interim order staying the decision to award full marks to three leaked questions and thereby to commence the paper marking of Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.
(dailynews.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)
