• HRCSL urges FUTA to reconsider position, calls for committee to discuss matter
• Susil says paper marking commenced for 10 subjects
• Ranil reads riot act again, warns of new laws if needed    

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has decided to make a final decision on commencing the evaluations of the answer scripts of the 2022 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A/L) Examination, following a discussion with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. FUTA had reached the decision at a special meeting yesterday (25) held in order to arrive at a final decision on engaging in the A/L answer script evaluation process.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) yesterday urged the FUTA to suspend their trade union action till the 2022 GCE A/L paper marking activities are completed. The HRCSL said that it has initiated an investigation into the issue through self intervention, based on complaints received and media reports related to the delay in the evaluation of the 2022 GCE A/L Exam answer sheets. Accordingly, yesterday, the Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara and the President of the FUTA, Prof. B.M.H.S.K. Banneheka also participated. Jayasundara opined that the quality and the standard of the Examination will be maintained from the preparation of the question papers to the evaluation of the answer sheets based on the contribution of the university lecturers. It was further stated that university lecturers will contribute individually. Banneheka also accepted it. Also, he stressed that the university lecturers have decided to withdraw from the Examination evaluation activities due to the failure to find a solution to the problem of excessive taxation that they have undergone. Furthermore, the purpose of the decision itself is to conduct standardised and quality examinations in Sri Lanka in the future, and to give Sri Lankan children the opportunity to get a quality education in the universities. The Chairperson of the HRCSL, retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Rohini Marasinghe, who commented during the meeting, said that a high level committee should be appointed to discuss matters regarding the academic relations of university teachers. It is said that the relevant parties should work to obtain the service of university lecturers for these examinations so as not to harm the international recognition of the quality and standard of the examinations.

Elsewhere, Minister of Education, Attorney Dr. Susil Premajayantha also commented on the 2022 GCE A/L Examination, revealing that the marking of answer sheets for 10 subjects commenced on Monday (24). “In one way, I am thankful to the FUTA. They were in constant communication with me, and I replied to the letter that they sent me recently. I believe that they have looked at my response positively and have resolved the relevant issue, because the chief officers incharge of 10 subject papers began the paper marking process yesterday,” he said.

President Wickremesinghe meanwhile said that any attempt to disturb the education system of the country, whether directly or indirectly, will not be permitted, and that if required, new legislation will be introduced to address such conduct. President Wickremesinghe at a recent meeting with Education Ministry officials warned that he would take initial legal action against teachers who did not comply with the law. “All those who marked papers last time, must be available for the service now. If not, I will prosecute them and take their property also. You can’t stop the education of children. What nonsense is this? By next week, I will tell the Attorney General to be ready with the emergency regulations. It was the Government that brought this problem and it is the Government that keeps the problem going. The Government must find a speedy solution and quickly resolve the problem of marking answer scripts,” Wickremesinghe told the officials.