Loudspeakers taboo near GCE (OL) exam centres

by Ananda Kannangara

The Examinations Department has warned organisers of functions and other ceremonies to refrain from using loudspeakers in the vicinity of over 4,000 GCE (OL) examination centres countrywide as it would disturb, students sitting the examination from December 11, Tuesday. A spokesman for the Examinations Department said that all police stations have been informed of the temporary ban on loudspeakers near examination centres from December 11-20.

Examinations Commissioner W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara told the Sunday Observer that even the public could lodge complaints at police stations on the use of loudspeakers near examination centres.

The spokesman said that approximately 387,593 school candidates and 154,667 private candidates will sit the GCE (OL) examination at 4,048 examination centres countrywide.

Pushpakumara said that apart from the examination centres in schools, around 30 examination centres have also been set up at certain prisons in Colombo and Ambepussa for the benefit of young prisoners sitting the examination.

Four examination centres have also been set up at Matara, Chilaw, Ratmalana and Tangalle to enable differently-abled children to sit the examination.

The Examinations Commissioner has called upon the CTB and private transport operators to provide adequate transport facilities for candidates, especially for those in remote areas.