GCE AL and Grade 5 scholarship exams on schedule

COLOMBO: The GCE Advanced Level and Grade 5 scholarship examinations will take place on previously announced dates, Education Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris announced on Wednesday.

The announcement came as authorities widened a curfew and warned of legal action against those evading treatment for COVID-19 after reporting a growing cluster centered around a garment factory in the Gampaha district.

Strict measures are in place to conduct the exams in a safe manner, officials said. The public health sector has offered its fullest cooperation to the process.

Army Commander Shavendra Silva told the briefing that contact-tracing efforts are underway to find the out source of the Minuwangoda Brandix coronavirus cluster.

The army chief also said that specialists and the task forces were constantly studying the situation, adding that there was no plan for islandwide lockdown as he spoke.

He added that the authorities are committed to bringing back stranded Sri Lankans abroad who had sought to return home in a phased manner.

The scholarship exam is on Sunday and the AL exams will begin on Oct. 12.