The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), in pursuance of its suo motu inquiry (HRC/RM/SUOMOTU/01/2024), held a discussion with officers of the Department of Examinations and the University Grants Commission on 8 July 2024 at the HRCSL Head Office. The discussion pertained to an incident in which the Advance Level Results of around 70 candidates of Zahira College, Trincomalee had been withheld by the Department of Examinations on the alleged grounds that the said candidates had violated examination rules with respect to ensuring their ears were visible during the examination.

At the outset, the HRCSL wishes to emphasise that, according to Article 10 of the Sri Lankan Constitution, all persons in Sri Lanka are entitled to the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Article 12(2) of the Constitution provides that no citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of inter alia sex or religion. Moreover, Article 14(1)(e) of the Constitution guarantees to all citizens the freedom to manifest their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice, and teaching, including in the public domain. These fundamental rights and freedoms are enshrined to ensure that all citizens of Sri Lanka are able to practice their religion or belief without exception.  Read More

Download: HRCSL Press Notice 11072024