Law students raise concerns over resuming exams amidst unresolved issues

The Law Students’ Union has raised concerns against the decision by the administration of Sri Lanka Law College to resume examinations without paying attention to a number of issues detrimental to students.

The LSU in a letter addressed to the Principal of the Law College, Shehan C. Perera, points out that holding examinations while inter provincial travel restrictions were in place would leave out large number of students from other provinces since no public transport was allowed and they would have no way to come to the examination centres in Colombo. In addition the administration has not yet explained what redress would be provided to the students who are unable to attend examinations due to contracting Covid-19 or those referred for self-quarantine at their homes. In case an area was isolated or locked down the student candidates would have no means to attend the examination.

Full text of the letter signed by LSU President Samadhi Gamalath and Secretary Vimukthi Karunaratne: “The Law Students’ Union of Sri Lanka (LSU) would like to reiterate certain concerns that have been already pointed out in our previous correspondences, pertaining to the decision made by the Incorporated Council of Legal Education to resume the Attorneys-at-Law Intermediate and Final examinations which were postponed due to the outbreak of the third wave of Covid-19.

“In the letter dated 10.06.2021, we emphasised the importance of having necessary arrangements for all the segments of students that would emerge at the time of resumption of the examinations. We mentioned these concerns on numerous previous occasions. The following is an excerpt from our letter dated 10.06.2021:

“It is of utmost importance to provide such arrangements, given the prevailing circumstances, for a couple of reasons:

1. Students shouldn’t be discriminated or penalised for no fault of their own, during this pandemic, by not allowing them to sit for examinations because of their health conditions. However, as we have suggested, if it is impossible or impracticable, we state that these students should be allowed to take only the subjects that they miss, in the subsequent examination sitting.

2. Students fear that if this issue is not addressed, it is probable that certain students would come to the examination centre and do the exam regardless of their health conditions, which would ultimately expose the lives of all the other candidates and invigilators to risk and danger.

“We believe that this concern has to be redressed to ensure that the examinations are held in a just and fair manner for all students. Moreover, we believe that every possible risk and threat to the health and safety of students must be eliminated.

“Furthermore, we would like to mention that our letter dated 25.06.2021 had a comprehensive discussion on the atrocities the students may have to endure if examinations are held amidst the prevailing situation of the country. We brought to the attention of your good self in a detailed manner the ways in which the exam candidates will have to suffer as a result of the existing travel restrictions and inter-provincial public transport suspension. Nevertheless, since the erudite members of the Council have decided to proceed with the examinations even after considering our letter, we would like to kindly request you to inform the relevant authorities to consider the Identity Card of Sri Lanka Law College (SLLC) to be regarded as a pass to travel during the period of examinations. It would indeed make the lives of the students convenient in the circumstances where travel and inter-provincial public transport restrictions are in existence.

“Last but not least, as we have informed the administration of SLLC on prior occasions, the students have raised concerns pertaining to the possibility of getting the Covid-19 vaccine to ensure that the potential health risk their lives are exposed to, is reduced.

“We urge your esteemed self to be considerate about these matters since if these go unanswered, it might even lead to jeopardising the entire examination, and then all the efforts of the students and administration would be in vain. LSU represents the entire Law student fraternity and even if only one student is affected or prejudiced, it becomes our concern. We are advocates of a just and fair examination which provides equal opportunity to all the candidates without causing any prejudice. Further, we value the health and safety of our students and invigilators to ensure that the examination runs smoothly.”