The 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination commenced today and will continue until September 5, with 2,532 examination centres operating across the country.

A total of 372,310 candidates are sitting for the exam this year, comprising 264,496 school applicants and 107,814 private applicants, according to the Department of Examinations.

Commissioner General of Examinations Indika Kumari said that all candidates must arrive at their respective centres one hour before the start of the examination. 

She further stressed that mobile phones, smart watches, notes, and Bluetooth devices are strictly prohibited inside examination halls.

Highlighting the importance of adhering to exam regulations, the Commissioner General warned against malpractice, noting that in previous years many students’ results had been suspended due to fraud.

She added that the Department has made arrangements to provide necessary facilities in the event of any emergency or disaster situation during the examination period. (Newswire)

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The Department of Examinations has announced strict prohibitions on conducting tuition classes and related activities during the upcoming 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination and the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

For the Advanced Level Examination, scheduled from August 10 to September 5 at 2,532 centres, all tuition classes, subject‑related lectures, seminars, workshops, and the printing or distribution of model question papers were banned from midnight yesterday (04) until the end of the exam. 

According to the Commissioner General of Examinations, publishing or possessing posters, banners, handbills, or media claiming to provide similar questions is also prohibited.

Similarly, for the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, which will be held on August 9 at 2,723 centres, the same restrictions apply from midnight today (05) until the exam concludes. 

The Department said that any individual, institution, or party violating these orders will be guilty under the Public Examinations Act No. 25 of 1968. 

Complaints regarding violations can be lodged with the nearest police station, Police Headquarters, or the Department of Examinations via the following telephone numbers;

• Police Headquarters: 011‑2421111
• Police Emergency: 119
• Department of Examinations Hotline: 1911
• School Examinations Organization & Results Branch: 011‑2784208 / 011‑2784537 (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court today ordered that a fundamental rights petition filed seeking to postpone the upcoming GCE Advanced Level Examination be dismissed without being taken up for hearing.

The petition had been submitted by five students scheduled to sit for the examination for the first and second time.

The 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination is set to be held from August 10 to September 5, 2026. (Newswire)

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Authorities will convene a special discussion tomorrow (05) to review precautionary measures for upcoming national examinations in light of the adverse weather conditions sweeping across the island, it was reported. 

According to the state newspaper Dinamina, the meeting will involve representatives from the Department of Meteorology, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), and the Department of Examinations.

Meteorology Director General Ajith Wijemanna noted that although August is typically a period of low rainfall, active monsoon conditions have intensified showers. 

He said rainfall is expected to ease after August 6–8, with a significant reduction anticipated by August 10, when the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination begins.

The 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination is scheduled for Sunday, August 9, while the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will run from August 10 to September 5, 2026.

It is reported that tomorrow’s meeting will focus on ensuring smooth conduct of exams despite weather disruptions, while also reviewing contingency plans to safeguard students and examination centers. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has dismissed, without consideration, a writ petition filed by a group of students seeking to postpone the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination by two months.

The petitioners had requested the court to issue an order delaying the examination, which is currently scheduled to commence in August 2026.

The application was filed by a group of students preparing to sit the upcoming Advanced Level examination, arguing that the exams should be deferred by two months.

However, the Court of Appeal rejected the writ application without taking it up for consideration, allowing the examination to proceed as scheduled.

The G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination is set to begin in August 2026. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has ordered that its decision on whether to grant permission to hear a petition seeking the postponement of the upcoming G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be announced on July 23.

The petition, filed by a group of students scheduled to sit for the examination, was taken up before the Court today (16).

After reviewing submissions made by both the petitioners and the Attorney General, the bench of judges issued the order fixing the date for the ruling.

The petitioners argue that the current examination schedule is unfair and have requested judicial intervention to delay the sitting of the A/L exam. (Newswire)

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The Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) Board has announced financial assistance of up to Rs. 50,000 for children of active members sitting the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, under its “Nipunatha Saviya” benefit scheme.

Eligible students may select one course from among 100 vocational training programmes conducted by institutes registered with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and recognized at National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Levels 3, 4, and 5.

The ETF Board emphasized that the assistance is not a loan and does not require repayment. 

The initiative aims to support the creation of a skilled generation, opening up both local and foreign employment opportunities.

Detailed information is available on the ETF Board’s official website. (Newswire)

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The Department for Registration of Persons has announced that National Identity Cards (NICs) for students sitting the G.C.E. Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations this year will be expedited.

Director General Jagath Herath said the Department expects to issue permanent NICs to all students before the end of the year. 

He noted that schools have already been informed through the Ministry of Education to submit applications for students sitting the Ordinary Level examination, and principals must ensure these are forwarded without delay.

Herath further stated that Advanced Level candidates scheduled to sit the examination in August who have applied for an NIC but have not yet received it can obtain their cards by notifying the Department through the telephone numbers or email addresses listed on its official website.

The Department emphasized that the initiative aims to ensure all students have valid identity cards ahead of their national examinations. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Dilith Jayaweera has urged the government to reconsider its decision to hold the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination in August, claiming that students will lose several months of preparation time.

In a statement, Jayaweera said A/L students would typically have around 26 months to complete their syllabus and prepare for the examination, but alleged that the current schedule would effectively reduce that period by six months.

He also noted that the current batch of students had faced disruptions to their education due to the recent adverse weather conditions associated with the Cyclone Ditwah.

Jayaweera accused Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and the government of showing a lack of sensitivity towards students sitting the examination this year and called on authorities to withdraw what he described as an unfair decision.

He urged the government to provide students with adequate time and support, stressing that the Advanced Level examination represents a crucial stage in their academic lives. (Newswire)

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that applications for university admission based on the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination results will be accepted from today (28) until May 19.

The results of the examination were released online on March 31. 

The 2025 Advanced Level Examination was conducted at 2,362 centres islandwide, with 281,810 candidates sitting for the exam. 

Of them, 221,413 were school candidates and 60,397 private candidates.

According to the UGC, 176,527 candidates have qualified to apply for university admission. (Newswire)

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The Department of Examinations has announced that 66% of candidates who sat for the 2025 GCE Advanced Level examination have qualified for university admission.

Addressing the media today, Commissioner General of Examinations A.K.S. Indika Kumari Liyanage stated that the results were released last night (31).

A total of 281,810 candidates sat for the examination, of which 176,527 have secured eligibility to apply for university entrance. Meanwhile, the results of 111 candidates have been withheld, according to the Department.

Among the top performers island‑wide in the Biology stream are:

• First place – Dilan Sanjana Karunaratne (Royal College, Colombo)
• Second place – Krishan Sasidu Namthara (Thakshila Central College, Horana)
• Third place – Darshana Konesh (Sri Shanmuga Hindu Girls’ College, Trincomalee)

Among the top performers island‑wide in the Physical Science stream are:

• First place – Devendran Thirukumaran (Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalaya)
• Second place – Gamlathgegedera Tharusha Gimahana Gamlath (Maliyadeva Boys College, Kurunegala)
• Third place – Vidanalage Vinura Prasad de Mel  (Sri Sumangala Boys College, Panadura)

Among the top performers island‑wide in the Commerce stream are:

• First place – Mohammad Subaideen Mohammad Farthan (Kattankudy Central Maha Vidyalaya, Kattankudy)
• Second place – Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Senadhi Dhihasna Sumanasekera (Museus College, Colombo)
• Third place – Kurundhukarage Dileepa Sandaras Karunaratne (Bandaranaike College, Gampaha)

Among the top performers island‑wide in the Arts stream are:

• First place – Marasinghe Pathiranage Achintha Mihiranga Rathnayake (Wayamba Royal College, Kurunegala)
• Second place – Aliya Zainab Kulusi (Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo)
• Third place – Methusari Dhinethya Ranatunga (Museaus College, Colombo)

Among the top performers island‑wide in the Engineering Technology stream are:

• First place – Wanigasuriya Arachchige Don Heshan Anujaya Wanigasuriya (Bandarainake Vidyalaya, Gampaha)
• Second place – Yapa Mudiyanselage Sithija Dulan Bandara (Vijayaba National College, Maho)
• Third place – Maharaja Pathirage Rivin Vinsara (C.W.W. Kannangara Maha Vidyalaya, Mathugama)

Among the top performers island‑wide in the Biosystems Technology stream are:

• First place – Wijeratne Mudiyanselage Dona Ishani Manodya (Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda)
• Second place – Kandearachchige Imashi Vihanga (‍Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha)
• Third place – Wijesinghe Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Jayathma Amandhi Wijesinghe (Ibbagamuwa Central College, Kurunegala) (Newswire)

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Applications to sit for the G.C.E. (A/L) Examination – 2026 will be accepted online from 2026.03.24 to 2026.04.24, the Department of Examinations announced today. 

According to the department, applicants must fill out the application form online using the official websites of the Department of Examinations: www.doenets.lk and www.onlineexams.gov.lk/eic. 

For this examination, students of government schools and government‑approved private schools must submit applications through their school principals, while private candidates must submit applications individually.

Applicants must use the username and password provided to them by the school principals to submit applications, while private candidates must use their National Identity Card number to submit applications online.

After submitting the application, both school candidates (through principals) and private candidates must obtain a printed copy of the application form and keep it safely to present when required.

The Department further states that applicants are strictly advised to submit their applications before the deadline, as the closing date for accepting applications will not be extended.

Applicants can contact the following numbers or email for further inquiries.

• Hotline: 1911
• Telephone numbers: 0112785922, 0112784537, 0112786616, 0112784208
• Fax: 0112784422
• Email: gcealexam@gmail.com (Newswire)

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The government’s new foreign scholarship programme for top-performing Advanced Level students officially commenced on 12 March 2026 at the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya, with 32 students selected in its first phase. 

The initiative, described by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya as a national investment in education and the country’s future, aims to develop highly skilled human resources essential for rebuilding the nation.

An allocation of Rs. 4,001 million has been earmarked for the project, which plans to award 200 foreign scholarships between 2025 and 2033.

Of the 32 students chosen for the 2025/26 academic year, nine have already secured admission to leading universities in Australia and New Zealand, including Sydney, Melbourne, Monash, and Auckland.

The programme requires students to pursue undergraduate studies at universities ranked within the top 500 globally by QS, THE, or ARWU rankings. Each student will receive up to Rs. 20 million annually, with a maximum of Rs. 80 million over four years to cover their full undergraduate programme.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized that the transparent selection process reflects the government’s vision of education as a cornerstone for national progress, ensuring opportunities for Sri Lanka’s brightest students to gain world-class exposure and contribute to the country’s future development.

PM Harini Amarasuriya’s full statement:

Today brings a great satisfaction to the Ministry of Education. As the first phase of a promise we made in our policy statement, scholarships have been awarded today to 33 students who achieved outstanding results in the Advanced Level Examination to pursue higher education abroad. Implementing this programme was not easy. We had to engage in extensive discussions regarding student selection, maintaining transparency, and identifying universities with higher academic standards.

This is not an ordinary scholarship programme. It is a programme that defines the future vision of our country. It provides students with the opportunity to study at some of the world’s leading universities. Therefore, students selected for this programme must demonstrate not only academic excellence but also leadership qualities, personality, and resilience.

To build our country, we need good citizens. We must create a human resource capable of taking the country forward. Countries such as Singapore, China, and Malaysia have progressed by investing in human resource development. We must also follow that path.

Beyond becoming graduates, these scholarship recipients should become individuals capable of making a meaningful impact on society and serving as part of the broader social transformation of our country. This is a long-term investment we are making. We expect you to support fellow students, lead teams, and demonstrate strong character.

No matter the challenges you face, including the climate changes, cultural differences, or missing loved ones, you must remain determined and not abandon your journey. Use such challenges to develop your leadership qualities. Even difficult experiences can become opportunities. Learn from new cultures, technologies, and systems of knowledge. Become innovative thinkers who can apply that knowledge to the development of our country.

Follow after many experiences as possible. Develop communication skills, empathy, teamwork, and the ability to understand others. Thereby, you will be able to deliver the change we expect for the nation. We will never be left alone. In any challenging situation, we are ready to intervene and support you.  We will facilitate the necessary coordination and assistance through embassies. If we are to take our country toward social transformation, it must be done through collective effort, protecting and supporting one another. We must create leaders who can guide not only Sri Lanka but the entire world toward a more humane future. (Newswire)

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The remaining subjects of the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, which were postponed due to Cyclone Ditwah, resumed today (12).

The examination is held at 2,086 centres across the island, with 325 coordination centres and 32 regional centres established for the purpose.

The exams will be conducted from January 12 to 20, 2026.

Candidates have been requested to arrive at their examination centres about one hour before the start of the exam.

The Exam Department noted that if any required documents for identity verification have been misplaced due to the disaster situation, arrangements have been made to allow such candidates to sit for the examination as well. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says the Ministry of Education, the Department of Examinations, and all authorities will jointly ensure that students sitting for the Advanced Level examination are provided with all necessary facilities.

Addressing the media today, the Prime Minister emphasized that students sitting for the Advanced Level examination must be provided with the opportunity to do so without difficulty. 

She instructed that provincial and zonal education authorities should maintain continuous supervision, while coordinating with the Disaster Management Centre, Air Force, Meteorology Department, and other relevant institutions to ensure proper organization of the process.

The PM further assured that answer scripts of students who have already completed their exams are safely stored and evaluation has already commenced, urging that no unnecessary fears should be created.

Meanwhile, Commissioner General of Examinations Indika Liyanage stated that the subjects scheduled for November 27, 28, and 29 in the ongoing A/Levl exams will be rescheduled, with dates to be announced later. 

She said if weather conditions improve, the examination will continue as per the original timetable from Monday (December 1). 

Indika Liyanage also noted that the competitive examination for recruitment to the Registrar General’s Department (Class I, Grade III) under the limited subject stream scheduled for November 29, and the first efficiency bar examination for Sports Instructors in the non‑technical category (Class III) of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training scheduled for November 30, have been postponed due to adverse weather.

Also addressing the media, Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwawa announced that all Muslim schools island‑wide will remain closed today and tomorrow (27–28). 

He added that the reopening date for the remainder of the school term will be announced later, and that decisions regarding the closure of universities and higher education institutions during the disaster situation have been delegated to their respective vice‑chancellors. 

He requested the public to follow official announcements issued by the Ministry of Education and the Department of Examinations. 

The announcements were made following a special discussion held today (27) under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya, with the participation of Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Senewiratne, in view of the heavy rainfall experienced in Sri Lanka. 

The meeting focused on possible changes to the Advanced Level examination schedule and the immediate measures to be taken. (Newswire)

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The Commissioner General of Examinations has announced that the 2025 GCE Advanced Level Examination subjects scheduled for Thursday (today), Friday and Saturday have been postponed.

According to the Commissioner General, the said examinations have been postponed to 07, 08, and 09 December.

The postponement is due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in various parts of Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The Commissioner General of Examinations, A.K.S. Indika Kumari Liyanage, announced today that special measures are being taken to ensure Advanced Level (A/L) students in flood-affected areas of Galle and Matara districts can reach their examination centres.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, several locations in these districts have been submerged due to heavy rains, creating serious difficulties in transportation.

In response, the Disaster Management Centre has deployed boats to assist students in reaching their exam centres safely.

Commissioner General Liyanage further stated that additional steps will be taken as necessary to guarantee that no student is prevented from sitting for the examination due to the adverse weather conditions. (Newswire)

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The 2025 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examination commenced today (11) at 8:30 a.m. across Sri Lanka.

This year’s examination will be held from November 10 to December 5, across 2,362 centres islandwide.

A total of 340,525 candidates are expected to sit for the exam, including 246,521 school applicants.

The Department of Examinations has instructed all candidates to arrive at their respective exam centres at least 30 minutes prior to the start time of their relevant exams. (Newswire)

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The Department of Examination has announced the calling of applications for the selection of invigilators for the practical exams of the 2025 GCE Advanced Level Examinations. 

According to the Exam Department, the applications will be accepted online until 07th October 2025.

Applicants are requested to send in their applications via the Exam Department’s official website www.doenets.lk or https://eservices.exams.gov.lk/practical. (Newswire)

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A ceremony to honour the top performers in the 2023/2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations at the district level, sponsored by the President’s Fund, was held under the aegis of Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickremaratne, at the Anuradhapura Central College recently (31 Aug). 

During the ceremony, 241 students from the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts who secured positions 1 to 10 across all six subject streams in the 2023 and 2024 A-Level examinations were awarded certificates and an incentive payment of Rs. 100,000 each. 

According to a Parliament statement, the total expenditure for this initiative by the President’s Fund was Rs. 24.1 million.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the President’s Fund, Mr. Roshan Gamage, delivered the welcome address and outlined the objectives of the programme.

Delivering the keynote address, Speaker Jagath Wickremaratne stated that the President’s Fund is now fulfilling its true role by providing highly efficient and effective services for the people and expressed his great satisfaction regarding this initiative.

The event was also addressed by the Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation, Susil Ranasinghe and the Governor of the North Central Province, Wasantha Jinadasa. Members of Parliament, including Sena Nanayakkara, Bhagya Sri Herath, and Thilina Samarakoon, were among the guests in attendance.

Meanwhile, a special one-day training workshop was held on 30th August at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat for officers in charge of the subject from all Divisional Secretariat offices in the North Central Province. This is part of the initiative to decentralize the operations of the President’s Fund to the regional level.

The workshop aimed to educate the officers working on the President’s Fund matters in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts. 

The programme is expected to increase the number of beneficiaries from the North Central Province, provide higher quality service to them and introduce updated online methodologies for the delivery of more expedient services through the relevant knowledge and training.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the President’s Fund, Roshan Gamage, the Anuradhapura District Secretary, Ranjith Wimalasuriya and a group of senior officials from the President’s Fund were present on this occasion. (Newswire)

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