President averts chaos at A/L exams

President Maithripala Sirisena averted potential chaos during the GCE Advanced Level examinations next month by ordering a halt to 1014 promotions or appointments in the education sector.

These promotions and appointments were made by Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam during a much publicised ceremony.

Nearly 13 trade unions of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service and the Principal’s Service protested over the move. It prompted President Sirisena to summon union representatives for a discussion.

Joseph Stalin, President of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, told President Sirisena that among those in the list of 1014 were 27 candidates who had failed their maths paper in the GCE ( OL) examination and 138 candidates who were facing disciplinary inquiries. He alleged that the promotions and appointments were based on political considerations.

President Sirisena, who ordered an immediate halt to promotions and appointments, declared that an official committee would examine every single case to determine whether the appointments or promotions had been given in accordance with laid down procedures.

Mr Stalin said the union maintained that even if there had been alleged victimisation, such candidates did not qualify for the appointments. At most, he said, they could be monetarily compensated.