Education Minister Kariyawasam responds to MP Gunawardena's remarks on G.C.E. A/L results

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has condemned MP Bandula Gunawardena’s remarks against international school students attempting national exams by calling it “misleading” and one with “a hidden political motive”.

Issuing a statement, Minister Kariyawasam said the right to equal education is one of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals that is being followed in Sri Lanka.

“Any student has the right to choose between a private or government school. No one can violate it,” Minister Kariyawasam was quoted saying in a press release.

Responding further to MP Gunawardena’s remarks made against the international school student who obtained the highest results in the Arts Stream at the G.C.E. Advanced Level exams this year, Mr. Kariyawasam said there is no barrier on any citizen of this country to attempt any exam.

Further, he claimed that the remarks made by the former Education Minister who was once a tuition teacher was an attempt to mislead the people and has been fuelled by an ulterior political motive.

He pointed out that as per the statements of Mr. Gunawardena who was a former Education Minister, there should be separate results issued by the Examinations Department for government and private school candidates.

"We do not consider the school, race, or nationality of the candidates while issuing results” the Education Minister said. “I will not disrupt the independent and unbiased nature of the Examinations Department”

Mr. Kariyawasam signed off by reiterating that he, as an Education Minister who stuck to the principles of free education by providing free uniforms, books and lunch, vehemently condemns the statements made by MP Gunawardena who claimed that the Education Ministry together with the Examinations Department is attempting to destroy free education.