The Department of Examinations has officially released the results of the 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination, which are now available online.
For inquiries related to the results, candidates may contact the following hotlines provided by the Department of Examinations: 📞 1911 📞 011 2 785 922 📞 011 2 786 616 📞 011 2 784 208 📞 011 2 784 537
The Department further announced that applications for the re-scrutiny of results will be accepted from July 14 to July 28.
This year, a total of 474,147 candidates sat for the G.C.E. O/L examination, comprising 398,182 school candidates and 75,965 private applicants. The examination was held from March 17 to 26 across 3,663 examination centers islandwide.
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.
A few showers may occur in the North-western province.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.
Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in North-western, North-central and Southern provinces.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
July 10, Colombo (LNW): The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has issued an urgent call for an investigation into what it describes as a dangerous trend of misinformation and unethical practices damaging Sri Lanka’s healthcare system and the credibility of its medical professionals.
In a formal letter addressed to Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the AMS expressed deep concern over non-expert commentary circulating in the media about complex surgical procedures, warning that such speculation is eroding public trust and sparking undue fear among patients.
Signed by AMS President Dr. T.G.Y. Rasika Gunapala and Secretary Dr. R. Gnanasekaram, the letter asserts that unverified claims—particularly those amplified on social media—are undermining the professional integrity of qualified specialists and causing anxiety among patients awaiting life-saving treatment.
The association labeled this as an “unsafe trend” and called for a full technical review by the Ministry of Health, urging it to issue a clear, expert-backed statement to reassure the public.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of a major scandal at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, where a specialist neurosurgeon was arrested and remanded for allegedly selling surgical equipment at inflated prices outside standard procurement protocols.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is leading the inquiry, which has already identified 77 victims and 92 further complaints, with estimated financial losses to patients exceeding Rs. 300 million.
According to investigators, the neurosurgeon bypassed established hospital tender procedures, directing patients to acquire crucial neurosurgical devices—such as external ventricular drains and ventriculoperitoneal shunts—through unofficial channels at much higher costs.
In a disturbing twist, there are allegations that the doctor may have kept clinically dead or non-viable patients on artificial life support to justify the use and sale of these devices.
This has reignited serious ethical debates about the difference between coma and brain death—two conditions often misunderstood but medically and legally distinct.
A coma refers to a deep, unconscious state where some brain function remains, and recovery is sometimes possible. Brain death, on the other hand, is the total and irreversible cessation of all brain activity, including the brainstem, and is legally recognized as death in most jurisdictions.
Performing non-therapeutic surgeries on brain-dead patients—if proven—constitutes a severe violation of ethical and legal medical standards.
Experts emphasize the importance of strict medical protocols for diagnosing brain death and the necessity of obtaining informed consent from families for any procedures involving such patients.
The AMS has highlighted the urgent need for accurate communication and evidence-based assessment to protect both patients and healthcare professionals.
The association is pushing for the Health Ministry not only to clarify facts through expert medical panels but also to ensure the public is fully informed about the legal and ethical standards governing life-support decisions and complex surgeries.
A copy of the AMS’s letter has also been sent to the Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, reinforcing the association’s call for immediate and transparent action.
As investigations continue, the healthcare sector stands at a critical crossroads. While the alleged misconduct underscores the urgent need for procurement reform and ethical safeguards, the AMS warns that undermining public confidence through speculative commentary may result in lasting damage to patient care and medical morale.
July 10, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government is set to revise generous tax holidays and exemptions granted to mega and mixed development ventures under the Strategic Development Act (SDA) and the Colombo Port City Act, following strong recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In its 2023 Governance Diagnostic Assessment, the IMF warned that prolonged and broad tax concessions are undermining the country’s ability to generate revenue and repay debt sustainably. It specifically called for the phasing out of the SDA, suggesting it be replaced with a more targeted Priority Investment Project Act. The IMF has urged Sri Lanka to reduce tax holiday periods — some of which extend up to 40 years — to more reasonable durations and remove exemptions for projects not deemed truly strategic.
Projects within the Colombo Port City, developed under significant Chinese investment, have been granted sweeping tax exemptions, including waivers on customs duty, VAT, and other levies. The Port City Commission currently determines which businesses qualify for tax concessions, in consultation with the President or relevant minister, under the label “Business of Strategic Importance” (BSI).
However, the IMF is pressing for stricter, rule-based criteria and greater transparency in awarding such incentives. Amendments to the Port City Act are planned for October 2025, while the SDA will be revised by August 2025, as part of the government’s structural reform agenda.
Despite earlier promises to halt new exemptions, 24 companies have already been gazetted as eligible for BSI status without IMF consultation. These approvals — including four primary, three duty-free, and 17 secondary businesses — will not be reversed due to legal concerns, the government admitted.
Concerns have also been raised about Chinese investors pushing for additional tax breaks in exchange for backing election campaigns of the JVP/NPP alliance, adding a political dimension to the economic debate.
Sri Lanka’s high corporate tax rate (30%) — in stark contrast to regional peers like Cambodia (20%), Vietnam (20%), Thailand (15%), and Singapore (17%) — has been blamed for driving businesses to set up in more stable, low-tax jurisdictions such as Dubai. Some fear that companies may now shift to the Port City enclave to benefit from its exemptions, potentially causing revenue leakage from the domestic tax base.
The IMF cautioned that such unchecked exemptions were a key contributor to Sri Lanka’s financial crisis. It emphasized that a sound investment environment cannot rely solely on tax breaks but must be supported by stable governance, legal reforms, and monetary credibility.
Sri Lanka has agreed to submit monthly reports to the IMF on all tax exemptions granted, as part of its commitment to restoring fiscal discipline. Regulations for registering Port City offshore companies and imposing new investor taxes were also submitted to Parliament this week.
As the country continues its recovery path under the IMF program, the government appears poised to tighten its tax incentive framework to ensure better revenue collection, reduce corruption risks, and promote sustainable foreign investment.
July 10, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) has posted profits in 2024, following the legal segregation of its life and general insurance businesses into separate entities, according to the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka.
Founded in 1962 as the State-owned insurer, Sri Lanka Insurance played a pivotal role in shaping and establishing the insurance industry in the country, paving the way for private sector insurers.
Later it was converted into a private limited liability company before being reinstated as a nationalised entity in 2009
Over the past six decades, it has emerged as the strongest and largest insurer, contributing significantly to the nation’s development by safeguarding lives and assets and creating substantial job opportunities, particularly for the youth
Specifically, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Life Limited (SLICLL) reported a profit before tax of Rs. 30.7 billion and a Gross Written Premium of Rs. 26.3 billion, marking a 25 percent growth.
The general insurance arm, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLICGL), also showed strong performance, particularly in the motor and non-motor segments, with growth attributed to strategic positioning and performance monitoring.
The segregation was in accordance with the regulatory framework set by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) in adherence to the regulations set forth in the Insurance Industry (Amendment) Act, No. 03 of 2011,.
It is expected to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness in serving customers and it will be focusing on capitalising on emerging opportunities, particularly in medical and non-motor insurance products.
Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Life Limited (SLICLL) and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLICGL) hold an asset base of Rs. 238.6 billion and Rs. 51.13 billion, respectively at the end of 2024, finance ministry report revealed
Further, SLICLL holds the largest life fund of Rs. 216.8 billion in the insurance industry at the end of 2024. SLICLL recorded a revenue of Rs. 49.7 billion in 2024, while SLICGL recorded a revenue of Rs. 20.2 billion in 2024.
The Gross Written Premium (GWP) from the life insurance business was Rs. 24.5 billion in 2024 and SLICGL reported a GWP of Rs. 23.6 billion for non-life insurance in the same year
SLICLL recorded a profitability of Rs. 29 billion while SLICGL recorded a profitability of 3.6 billion. Meanwhile, the declared dividends amounted to Rs. 1.3 billion last year.
Under the State Enterprise Reform Program, the share ownership of Canwill Holdings Private Limited, a subsidiary of SLIC, valued at Rs. 10.5 billion was transferred to the Secretary to the Treasury during the year 2024.
July 10, Colombo (LNW): Starting July 1, Sri Lankan job seekers heading to the Middle East and several other countries for employment in industrial and corporate sectors must have their job contracts certified by Sri Lankan embassies in those respective nations.
This mandatory rule, introduced by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), is part of a wider strategy to prevent exploitation and ensure better protection for migrant workers, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Employment revealed.
Initially scheduled for implementation on June 7, the regulation faced a brief delay but is now fully in force. Under the new rule, Sri Lankan labor attachés stationed in 13 key countries—such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and South Korea—are responsible for validating employment agreements. Each certification will carry a processing fee of US$60.
The regulation follows a rising number of complaints from migrant workers, particularly in Gulf countries, regarding abuse, harassment, contract substitution, wage fraud, and other forms of mistreatment. The SLBFE noted that many victims were job seekers who had traveled abroad through informal channels or unregulated job agents.
This new requirement is expected to impact mainly those securing employment independently, bypassing licensed recruitment agencies. Unlike those recruited through official channels, self-arranged workers often lack the safeguards embedded in agency-led processes.
However, the rule provides exemptions for professionals such as doctors, engineers, and IT specialists. These individuals may bypass the certification process if they can submit proof of their professional status—such as a valid passport and recognized qualifications—when registering with the SLBFE.
The move comes as foreign employment continues to serve as a crucial lifeline for many Sri Lankans struggling amid persistent economic challenges at home. With over 1.5 million Sri Lankans working abroad—most in Gulf nations—remittances remain a key source of foreign exchange for the country.
However, this dependency has historically come at the cost of worker welfare, with rights groups reporting frequent abuses against low-skilled laborers, including domestic workers and construction staff.
According to the SLBFE, the contract certification rule forms part of a broader initiative to promote ethical recruitment practices, protect vulnerable workers, and improve transparency in overseas job contracts. The bureau has urged all potential migrant workers to verify job offers through official channels and avoid dealing with unauthorized agents.
Authorities hope that strengthened oversight will not only reduce cases of exploitation but also maintain a steady flow of remittances vital to the national economy.
July 10, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he held a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat as a follow-up to the updated tariff imposed on Sri Lanka by the United States.
“I held a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (10) with representatives involved in the relevant process regarding the next steps to be taken by our government following the reduction of the previously imposed U.S. tariff rate from 44 per cent to 30 per cent,” the President wrote.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Sri Lanka is amongst a group of countries targeted for newly imposed tariffs.
Trump personally issued formal notices to the respective heads of state, confirming the measures, and signalled further action may be imminent. He indicated that more countries would soon be added to the growing list, stating online that additional announcements were expected the same day.
July 10, Colombo (LNW): The price of imported milk powder has increased, confirmed the Milk Powder Importer’s Association.
Accordingly, the price of a 400 gram packet of imported milk powder has increased by Rs. 100, and the price of a 1 kilogramme packet, by Rs. 250, announced the Union.
July 10, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s domestic garment manufacturers are urging the government to introduce a significant increase in import taxes on clothing, warning that the survival of the local fashion industry is under serious threat.
The call was made during a media briefing this week at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, where former Sri Lanka Brands Association President, P. Yasotharan, proposed a three- to four-fold hike in the Commodity Export Subsidy Scheme (CESS) levy on imported apparel.
Yasotharan argued that the domestic sector is fighting a losing battle against a deluge of low-cost imported clothing—often of questionable quality—that dominates the market by exploiting tax gaps and bypassing regulatory scrutiny.
He described the current environment as deeply unbalanced, with foreign products swamping local shelves whilst Sri Lankan manufacturers struggle to stay afloat under stricter tax, labour, and quality controls.
The local apparel market, valued at approximately Rs.700 billion, sees less than 35 per cent of its demand being met by homegrown producers, according to Yasotharan. “It’s not that our people can’t compete—it’s that they’re not being allowed to,” he said. “Our seamstresses and tailors have world-class skills. What they lack is a fair market.”
Currently, the CESS levy adds a nominal Rs.50 to Rs.100 on an imported garment—a cost that is easily absorbed by mass importers and online retailers. Domestic producers say this minimal charge is inadequate to deter the flow of cheap clothing that undermines their pricing structure.
Yasotharan insists that increasing the CESS by 300 per cent to 400 per cent would bring the retail price of imported garments closer to that of locally made products, creating a level playing field. “If foreign brands can still compete at that price, then we welcome the competition,” he added. “But right now, we’re losing not because we’re inferior, but because the rules are skewed.”
The CESS, a para-tariff applied at the border in addition to other import duties, has long been a point of contention. Whilst the previous administration—under pressure from the International Monetary Fund—announced intentions to phase out such levies in favour of a more unified tax system, the 2025 National Imports Tariff Guide confirms that CESS charges on apparel remain intact, at least for now.
However, the proposal has sparked concern amongst consumers already grappling with high living costs. The rising popularity of international e-commerce platforms and budget-friendly fashion retailers has expanded choice and affordability for shoppers. An abrupt price surge, critics warn, could reduce access to affordable clothing for many households.
Nonetheless, Sri Lankan manufacturers maintain that without urgent intervention, the domestic sector risks further marginalisation. As Yasotharan put it, “If we allow this to continue, we may end up a nation of consumers with no producers.”
July 10, Colombo (LNW): Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has sharply criticised Sri Lanka’s handling of trade talks with the United States, attributing the recently announced 30 per cent tariff on Sri Lankan exports to what he called ego-driven, poor negotiation strategy.
Premadasa expressed concern that the country’s failure to secure more favourable trade terms was costing Sri Lanka dearly, stating that nearly US$3 billion in export value now faces risk due to what he described as missed opportunities for collaboration and expert guidance.
“A 30 per cent U.S. tariff on Sri Lankan exports is the price we pay for poor negotiation. Our ego kept us from seeking every ally, every expert hand, and now nearly US$3 billion in exports hangs in the balance. This is a good case study on how textbook experts are not meant for real world negotiations,” Premadasa wrote.
He warned that overreliance on theoretical knowledge rather than practical negotiation expertise had undermined the country’s ability to defend its trade interests effectively. His remarks have added to a growing wave of anxiety within the export sector, where businesses are bracing for the impact of the new tariff regime.
The 30 per cent levy, though reduced from an earlier proposed 44 per cent in April, continues to be viewed as a major obstacle to maintaining Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in the U.S. market.
