A/L exams: Army called in to jam mobile phones and devices

The Examination Department has requested the services of the Army to jam signals to prevent the use of mobile phones or other devices by those sitting the G. C. E. (Advanced Level) examination next month, a senior official said.

Examinations Commissioner General Sanath Pujitha told the Sunday Times the decision to seek Army's help was taken following a

series of discussions to intensify security measures to prevent cheating at the examination.

He said the Army had the technology to jam signals in a limited area to prevent the use of mobile phones or other electronic devices during the exams. He said the security measures would be taken discreetly in selected centres.

Mr. Pujitha said, that at earlier exams despite security measures, there had been instances of using mobile phones and similar devices to commit fraudu- lent acts at public exams.

He said that in addition to the army, the services of the mobile service providers and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) had also been sought to implement the plan.

Army Spokesman Sumith Atapattu said the Signals Corps had the technical capability to jam electronic devices and would provide whatever help necessary to conduct the examination..

The Advanced Level examination begins on August 6.