7-Member Committee Appointed to Probe Scholarship Paper Leak

COLOMBO (News 1st): A 7-member independent specialist committee has been appointed to probe the recent leak of the Gr. 5 Scholarship examination paper. 

Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Thilaka Jayasundara said that the committee was appointed as per the instructions of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. 

The committee includes several internationally-experienced specialists. 

The committee is set to investigate the leak within two days, and submit recommendations to the Prime Minister, ensuring that steps can be taken to avoid any unfairness towards the students. 

Thilaka Jayasundara said that the Ministry has also received a report from the Criminal Investigation Department, regarding the leak of the question paper 1 of the 2024 Gr. 5 Scholarship examination. 

The Department of Examinations is also carrying out an investigation in this regard. 

As of now, an official of the National Institute of Education and a tutor have been remanded in connection to the leak. 

The Secretary to the Ministry also said that the NIE official has been temporarily suspended, and that statements were recorded from several other teachers. 

She assured that the matter will be resolved soon, avoiding any unfairness to the children affected by the incident.