News
JVP union sees political angle to Examination Department decision
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Ceylon Teachers Service Union (CTSU) yesterday urged the government to hold the practical test for aesthetic subjects for students sitting the GCE OL examination, in March.
On 05 February 2021, the Commissioner of Examinations informed school principals through a letter (RD/16/02/5BA/OL/2020) not to hold the practical test because of the pandemic and instead to take average test scores of previous exams held in schools.
Mahinda Jayasinghe, General Secretary of the CTSU told The Island that the Department of Examinations had held practical tests for GCE AL students a few months before. Even COVID-19-infected students were given the opportunity to sit the practical test and due to the dedication of examination staff, those practical tests were conducted successfully.
“The decision to use school-based test scores, which are highly subjective and widely criticized for various other reasons, is a very bad move. Moreover, RD/16/02/5BA/OL/2020 does not even give specific instructions. We have a feeling that the Department of Examinations has not taken this decision after careful deliberation; it smacks of a political motive.”
Jayasinghe said that aesthetic subjects were important to create humane citizens and practical skills were very important. By getting rid of the practical aspect of those subjects, the government was also preventing the future development of those subjects.
“We urge the government to reverse this decision. If not, we will hold demonstrations with the support of everyone in the sector.”
Latest News
Concessionary priced food packages for new ‘Aswesuma’ applicants from 01st to 13th April
In keeping with the proposal by the President in his 2025 budget, for the provision of a package essential goods at a concessionary price during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival season, it has been planned to provide a food package containing essential food items valued at Rs. 5000/- for only Rs. 2,500/-.
It is expected to select appropriate beneficiaries from among the 812,753 candidates who have submitted new applications for Aswesuma benefits.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development jointly with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to take necessary steps to provide the food package to the beneficiaries through the Lanka Sathosa outlet network and COOPFED outlets from 01.04.2025 to 13.04.2025
The Cabinet of Ministers have decided as follows considering the resolutions submitted by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development along with the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments on payment of salaries according to the revised salary scales with effect from 01.04.2025 based on the resolution furnished by the President for revising the salaries of government service by the budget 2025;
• To empower the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments to issue circular instructions to the the secretaries of all the Ministries, Local Government Secretaries and Heads of Departments in regard to salary revisions of the government service.
• To empower the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to issue circular instructions for state corporations, statutory boards and fully government owned companies and other institutions.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted to amend the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 for remedying the shortcomings related to the transparency according to the international standards for prevention of money laundering, financing terrorism and other illegal activities.
Accordingly, the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has been revised as per instructions provided by the Attorney General subject to the special decision of the Supreme Court No. SC/SD/92/2024 and clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the final draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Safety and Cooperative Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Concessionary priced food packages for new ‘Aswesuma’ applicants from 01st to 13th April
Salary revision of the Government Service – 2025
Amendment of the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 to be Gazetted
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