GCE O/L exam in Jaffna as scheduled

by Thava Sajitharan

Despite the prevailing situation in Jaffna, the Department of Examinations is prepared to conduct the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) examinations in the peninsula as scheduled, said the Commissioner General of Examinations Anura Edirisinghe. The GCE (O/L) examinations are due to commence islandwide on December 15.

Mr. Edirisinghe expressed optimism that the examinations would be held smoothly with their cooperation.

"Admission papers for the examination will be sent to Jaffna by air by the end of this month" he said.

Earlier it was reported in the Tamil press that when the group of Tamil politicians which included TULF leader V. Ananthasangari, PLOTE leader T. Sitharthan and EPRLF (Pathmanaba wing) leader T. Siritharan met President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week they had made a request to postpone the O/L examination in Jaffna as the students were facing difficulties in continuing their studying activities.

However, the Commissioner General said he didn't receive any directive from the Presidential Secretariat with regard to this matter. Meanwhile arrangements have been made to conduct the Grade 5 scholarship examination for the displaced students in Vaakarai and Kathiraveli on December 17.