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SC focuses on integrity of public examination process: sets 3-month deadline for report from CGE

Published

1 year ago

2025/01/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Directs AG to consider criminal proceedings against suspects, refers to PM’s role

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The Supreme Court has given the Commissioner General of Examinations (CGE) Amith Jayasundara three months’ time to submit a comprehensive report on how the integrity of the public examination process could be restored and strengthened against the backdrop of question paper leaks. The SC made the order on Tuesday (Dec 31, 2024).

The SC declared that the CGE’s decision to grant free marks for compromised three questions was contrary to the law and therefore a nullity. However, during the proceedings, the Solicitor General acknowledged the absence of official entry regarding the CGE taking such a decision.

The SC found the CGE guilty of violating Article 12(1) of the Constitution while asserting that the endorsement of the CGE’s decision by the Cabinet-of-Ministers on Nov. 25, 2024, too, was a nullity.

Declaring that fundamental rights of student candidates and petitioners had been violated by the state due to the leaking of three questions in Paper 1 of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination conducted on Sept. 15, 2024, the three-judge-bench comprising Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, Kumudini K. Wickremesinghe and Arjuna Obeysekere issued seven specific orders.

The directive issued to the CGE was one of the seven orders. The other orders were (1) address the issue at hand (breach of the confidentiality of three questions) on the basis of one of the three solutions provided by experts and any other material available to him (2) Director, CID to submit a detailed report to CIABOC regarding the probe into the conduct of I.G.S. Premathilake (13th respondent and was directed to pay a sum of Rs 3 mn to the State) and C.M. Chaminda Kumara Illangasekera (6th and 9th respondent in two FR cases was ordered to pay Rs 2 mn) their culpability to consider whether they perpetrated offences, conspiracy to commit corruption, corruption and abetment to commit corruption as defined in the Anti-Corruption Act (3) CID to conduct financial analysis of the suspects, further investigations necessitated by forensic analysis of digital devices conducted so far and probe P.A.M. Buddhika Pathiraja whose name transpired in the investigation (4) CID to submit a report to SC within three months from the deliverance of the judgment (5) Attorney General to provide required advice and backing to the CID and expeditiously consider instituting criminal proceedings in respect of offenders and perhaps unprecedented move (6) that AG provides an advisory to Cabinet-of-Ministers, Secretaries to Ministries, heads of departments and statutory bodies emphasizing what the SC called legal principles contained in the relevant judgment and how public officials would be required to adhere to such principles.

The SC has ordered the State to utilise Rs 5 mn paid by two suspects within four weeks from the issuance of the judgment to explore ways and means of protecting the integrity of Grade 5 Scholarship examination.

The SC has also declared that if the petitioners of four FR petitions intended to recover actual costs in moving the court, they should submit the relevant bills to the respondents Premathilake and Illangasekera through the Registrar of SC. In addition, the SC has also sought a report from the AG as regards action taken by him in respect of the judgment.

The SC noted that the opinion of a seven-member expert committee had been obtained at the intervention of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the CGE on his own didn’t take the decision at issue but submitted the recommendations for the attention of the Premier and necessary action after endorsing them.

After the Premier called a meeting on Sept. 26, 2024 to address the issues at hand, the CGE had handed over the internal decision making authority to the Premier, Education Minister and the Secretary to the Education Ministry. The SC noted that their involvement in the process had deprived CGE decision making authority.

The SC said they may not have intended to take over CGE’s authority but in the end that was the result of their involvement.

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Prime Minister Attends the 40th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the special ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre (SNECC), along with the 75th birthday of its Secretary General, the Chief Incumbent of Sri Mahindaramaya, Ethul Kotte, the Chief Sangha Nayake of the Western Province, and scholar Ven. Meegahathenna Chandrasiri Thero.

The primary objective of the event was to appreciate the service rendered by the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre, which has functioned as a bridge between Japan and Sri Lanka since 1986, contributing significantly to the development and welfare of children in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister stated that the social service carried out by Ven. Meegahathenna Chandrasiri Thero through the Nippon Centre, aimed at fulfilling the educational aspirations of Sri Lankan children, is highly commendable. She further emphasized that the Centre’s contribution to nurturing skilled children into disciplined and responsible citizens, as well as strengthening cultural ties between the two countries, is appreciated by the Government.

Over the past four decades, thousands of students have benefited from the “Nippon Scholarship” programme implemented by the Centre. In addition to providing school supplies, monthly financial assistance, medical support, and spectacles, the programme offers Japanese language education and guidance for employment and training opportunities in Japan for Sri Lankan youth. Annual study tours to Japan and collaborative programmes organized to enhance mutual understanding between students of the two countries were also highlighted at the event.

Marking this special occasion, the Prime Minister extended her best wishes to Ven. Meegahathenna Chandrasiri Thero on his 75th birthday and wished him continued strength to successfully carry forward this invaluable service.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Kotte, Arosha Atapattu, representatives of sponsoring organizations from Japan, scholarship recipients, and other distinguished guests.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Navy’s latest addition P 628 sails for Colombo from Baltimore

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

The Offshore Patrol Vessel P 628, which was formally handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy by the U.S. Coast Guard in December 2025, departed for Sri Lanka from Baltimore, United States on 20th February 2026. The home bound journey began, after the modernization work of the ship to suit the operational needs of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The EX-United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Decisive was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy on 02 Dec 25, as the latest addition to the SLN fleet under the Pennant Number P 628. Upon her arrival in Sri Lanka, the ship is scheduled to be formally commissioned into the fleet.

Measuring 64 metres in length, this ‘B-Type Reliance Class 210-foot Cutter’ is equipped with advanced technological systems and facilities, capable of conducting extensive surveillance operations spanning up to 6,000 nautical miles per patrol.

The vessel’s voyage to Colombo is historic, possibly marking the longest-ever passage undertaken by a Sri Lanka Navy ship. Covering approximately 14,775 nautical miles, the journey will see the P 628 navigate from Baltimore through the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal (a first for a Sri Lankan naval vessel), the Pacific Ocean, and into the Indian Ocean via the Straits of Malacca. The ship is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka during the first week of May 2026.

During the transit, the P 628 is scheduled to make port calls to replenish supplies and services, providing opportunities to further strengthen diplomatic ties with partner nations.

This transfer represents the fourth vessel provided to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States Coast Guard, reinforcing a long-standing partnership aimed at addressing common maritime challenges.

News

Commander of the Navy attends International Fleet Review

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

The 13th edition of the multilateral naval exercise MILAN hosted by the Indian Navy, is being held from 18 to 26 Feb 26, at Visakhapatnam and in the waters of the Bay of Bengal.

SLNS Sagara and Nandimithra represented the Sri Lanka Navy by participating in the International Fleet Review (IFR), a major component of this multilateral naval exercise, held on 18 Feb.

The event was attended by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, at the invitation of the Chief of the Naval Staff of India, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. The President of India reviewed the IFR, participated by the warships representing regional and global navies.

Held under the theme “United Through Oceans and the spirit of Camaraderie Cohesion Collaboration,” IFR and MILAN-26 provide a vital platform for participating nations. The participation of the Sri Lanka Navy in the MILAN-26 multilateral naval exercise highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing its maritime interests and addressing shared challenges through enhanced cooperation with other nations and institutions, grounded in mutual understanding.

Furthermore, participation in endeavours of this nature will strengthen mutual cooperation and interoperability with other maritime stakeholders. It will also provide the Sri Lanka Navy with valuable opportunities to gain new knowledge, strategic acumen, and operational experience, key elements in fostering a collective approach to maritime security.

During this visit, the Navy Commander engaged in bilateral discussions with regional and extra-regional diplomatic representatives and these strategic-level talks focused on matters of mutual interest pertaining to Sri Lanka’s maritime security and stability.