Officials from Sri Lanka's Department of Meteorology, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Department of Examinations held a special meeting today (August 5) to discuss contingency plans for the upcoming Grade 5 Scholarship Examination and the 2026 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examination amid forecasts of adverse weather.
The discussion focused on measures that could be implemented to ensure examination activities continue without disruption if severe weather conditions develop over the coming days.
According to the Disaster Management Centre, a special operations unit will be established at its Operations Centre if heavy rainfall affects the country on August 6, 7 and 8. The unit will coordinate emergency responses and monitor weather-related impacts on examination arrangements.
The DMC also stated that boats and disaster response teams have been placed on standby to assist candidates in flood-affected areas if necessary.
Authorities recalled that during last year's GCE Advanced Level examinations, boats were deployed to transport students in parts of Galle and Matara after flooding affected access to examination centres.
The 2026 GCE Advanced Level Examination is scheduled to begin on August 10, while the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will be held on August 9.
Officials urged candidates and parents to remain updated through official announcements and cooperate with instructions issued by relevant authorities should adverse weather conditions develop.
