Results of the 2011 AL exams were incorrect - SC

Date:2012-05-12 02:01:00

Stanley Samarasinghe, Ceylon Today The Supreme Court yesterday declared that results of the 2011 AL examination were incorrect based on the two sets of question papers  submitted to the Court. Supreme Court Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga said the inquiry relating to the Fundamental Right Case filed by 16 students and Ceylon Teachers  Union challenging the validity of 2011 AL results, has revealed that the  results were incorrect. The Court had examined the two sets of question papers submitted to  the Court by the petitioners. Examination Commissioner W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara, representatives from the University Grants Commission, Education Minister Bandula  Gunawardena, Professor R.O. Thatil and the Attorney General were the respondents. Counsel for the petitioners J.C. Weliamuna submitted to the Court that  the incorrect results were caused by amalgamating marks from two  separate papers to calculate the ‘Z’s score. The counsel for two students seeking to support the case submitted that the two sets of examination papers given to the students stated that 33 out of 60 questions  in each paper were identical. However, the counsel said according to the new syllabus a student can obtain more  marks answering a lesser number of questions in a shorter time whereas with the  older syllabus it was the opposite of it. At this time Justice Amaratunga observed that even one mark could make a vast  difference in the results and consequently in the life of a student. Counsel Weliamuna together with Counsel Sanjeeva Ranaweera instructed by  Counsel Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi appeared for the petitioners. President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha with Counsel Kushan Alwis appeared for the University Grants Commission and State Counsel Therium Pillai appeared for the Minister and the Attorney General.