Connect with us

News

Final decision taken on 2024 Scholarship Exam paper leak

Published

on

The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara says a decision has been made to award free marks to all students for the three questions which were alleged to have been leaked in the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination, as per the recent Supreme Court order.

On Tuesday (31), the Supreme Court declared that the fundamental human rights have been violated through the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision to award free marks to all students for the three questions of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination which are alleged to have been leaked.

Accordingly, the court also ordered the Commissioner General of Examinations to immediately implement a suitable recommendation out of the three recommendations made by the experts’ committee appointed to look into the matter.

The three recommendations were;

1. Removing the compromised test items from scoring
2. Awarding free marks for all the candidates for the compromised questions
3. Re-administering a new test

Issuing a statement today with this regard, the Commissioner General of Examinations stated that accordingly, following a thorough consideration of all pros and cons of the three recommendations made by the experts’ committee, it was decided that the second option was the “most fair” and the “most suitable” solution for the issue.

Issuing the verdict on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had declared that both the provisions of the Constitution as well as the provisions of the Public Examinations Act would not empower either the Minister or the Secretary to the Ministry to participate in the decision-making process, issue directions to the Commissioner of Examinations, assume to themselves the decision-making power, or influence the process in a manner that would take away, curtail or inhibit the discretionary authority vested in the Commissioner of Examinations by the Public Examinations Act. 

“This does not mean that the public functionary cannot engage in a process of consultation with the Minister or the Secretary, subject to the important caveat that the final decision must always be that of the public functionary who is required by law to take such decision”, the court verdict reads.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court had also stated that however, neither the authority vested in the Minister and the Secretary to engage in superintendence, nor the authority to supervise the functions of the Commissioner of Examinations would include legal authority to usurp the power vested in the Commissioner of Examinations and that similarly, the Commissioner of Examinations cannot abdicate expressly or impliedly either to the Minister or to the Secretary, the decision-making authority vested in him by law.

During previous hearings, the court was informed that the Cabinet of Ministers had recommended to award free marks to all students for the 03 questions which were alleged to have been leaked in the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

AG seeks CID probe into social media smear campaign against his staff

Published

on

By

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a probe following a complaint by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe that his staff have been unduly targeted by false allegations on social media.

The AG’s instruction to the CID came after several of his staff complained to him over the allegation on social media.

Particularly targeted are senior AG’s Department officials awaiting promotions, sources said.

In one of the posts, a senior officer was accused of being supportive of granting bail to Thamil Makkal Viduthal Puligal (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillaiyan, when his fundamental rights application over his arrest was taken up. During the hearing of the FR case, the matter of bail was not even considered, the sources said.

Another allegation was that in a case related to the suspended Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon, the AG prevented a senior officer from representing the department and instead sent a junior officer. However, on the particular day, the senior officer was indisposed, the sources said.

These allegations surface as the AG’s Department has filed more than 600 new indictments in High Courts so far this year, while the Bribery Commission has also referred several bribery and corruption cases to the AG for prosecution.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

News

19-yr. old dies after falling from elevator

Published

on

By

A 19-year-old youth has died after falling from a service elevator at a hotel in the Pannai area, in the Jaffna Police Division.

According to the police, the incident had occurred last night (June 21) and the deceased has been identified as a resident of Nirveli, Jaffna.

According to investigations, the youth was employed at the hotel and had been using the service elevator -intended for transporting goods.

Further investigations are underway.

This incident follows a similar case recently reported from a hotel in Moratuwa last week.

Related News :

19-yr.-old dies after hotel elevator collapses

Continue Reading

News

Deputy Foreign Minister addresses 6th CSACF in Kunming

Published

on

By

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra participated at the 9th China-South Asia Exposition and the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum (CSACF), held from 18 to 21 June 2025 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. This year’s Exposition held particular significance for Sri Lanka as it was featured as the Theme Country of the exposition.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, Deputy Minister Hemachandra emphasized the importance of regional unity and shared progress, a crucial factor for South Asia, with its demographic strength and strategic location, increasing share of global trade, and cultural and intellectual assets. He invited investors and partners from China and South Asia to explore opportunities in key sectors, including infrastructure, technology, green energy, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.  

On 20 June 2025, the Deputy Minister held bilateral discussions with the Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, where future collaboration in areas such as processed food, apparel, agriculture, and tourism were explored. He expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in technical assistance and knowledge exchange, including opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to gain exposure to Yunnan’s expertise in the cut flower industry, a sector in which the province is globally recognized as the ‘Kingdom of Flora and Fauna’.

The Sri Lanka Theme Pavilion was officially inaugurated on 19 June 2025 at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe. Minister Samarasinghe also delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony.  

Sri Lanka’s presence at the Exposition showcased a vibrant display of its economic strengths and cultural heritage. A wide range of high-value exports and services were exhibited including gems and jewellery, Ceylon Tea, coconut-based products and fiber, spices, organic and wellness products, handicrafts, batiks, confectionery, and processed foods. Sri Lanka’s participation aimed to strengthen trade ties, enhance export potential, and increase market access for Sri Lankan businesses in China and South Asia.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved