CID called in to probe question paper leak

By Rathindra Kuruwita 

The CID has commenced an investigation into complaints that the year-end term test papers have been leaked in two Provinces. The test papers for Grades 10 and 11 Science, in the Western Province, were leaked a few hours before the commencement of the examination on 01 March.The English question paper for Grade 10 in the Sabaragamuwa Province was leaked on 02 March. The exam is to be held on Monday (04).

Math papers, too, were leaked on Saturday.Western Province Director of Education, Nimal Jayaweera, said they had decided not to hold exams for Grades 10 and 11, which were scheduled for 04, 05 and 06 March.

In the Sabaragamuwa Province, printing of term test papers had been entrusted to schools, some of which had contracted private printers. It is suspected that some private printers leaked the question papers.

Jayaweera said they had got the question papers printed by the Department of Government Printer and distributed them to schools through zonal education offices and therefore it was surprising that the papers had been leaked.

However, trade unions of the Department of Government Printer said term test papers had not been printed at the institution.

Nihal Chandrasiri, President of the Podujana Mudrana Sevaka Sangamaya of the Government Printing Department, said the papers had not been printed by the Government Printer.

Chairman of the Joint Teacher Services Union, Vaas Gunawardena said the provincial departments of education did not allocate money for printing papers and schools were compelled to contract private printers to print the papers.