• Schools set to reopen on 16 December

The Ministry of Education stated that a final decision on the rescheduling of the remaining subjects of the 2025 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A/L) Examination would be taken after studying the condition of the examination centres and the accessibility of roads in areas affected by the recent extreme weather.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Secretary to the Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa said the remaining subjects of the A/L examination require seven consecutive days and that schools could reopen only after completing this period. “We can restart schools only after completing these seven days of examination. That is why we have postponed the opening of schools until 16 December for now.” 

He added the Commissioner General of Examinations would determine the revised schedule in the coming days. “Our idea is that if the situation returns to normal within a week, we can hold the seven days of examination by 16 December. We are looking into whether that is possible, but this cannot be confirmed. We need to see if the examination centres have been damaged and whether it is possible to travel on the roads. We will then take a decision,” he said.

Examinations Commissioner General Indika Liyanage announced on 28 November that all 2025 A/L examinations, along with all other examinations, had been postponed until further notice due to adverse weather caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Authorities had earlier planned only a three-day suspension, shifting the papers scheduled for 27, 28, and 29 November to 7, 8, and 9 December, before extending the pause due to worsening conditions.