Evaluation of GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination papers will commence on March 27 and practical examinations for Aesthetic subjects are expected to commence in May, Education Minister G.L. Pieris said.

He said this following an O/L examination centre inspection tour of the Ananda Shrasthralaya Vidyalaya in Kotte today.

"Today is the final day of the O/L examination. The examination held for ten days. A total number of 622,000 candidates sat for the exam at 4,513  centres. We conducted the examination after facing many difficulties," Minister Pieris said.

"At the beginning of the examination, there were only 38 COVID infected candidates. By the end, there were 62 candidates. We had set up 40 special examination centres throughout the country. Similarly, 322 children were sent for quarantine. A special classroom was set up at each examination centre for the children who were sent for quarantine formalities and those who were found COVID-19 positive," he said.

"In the last couple of  days, some problems cropped up due to bad weather. But we managed to send the question papers to the examination centres successfully and on time," the Minister further said.

"We have decided to hold the practical examinations for Aesthetic subjects in May. For that, the children can get themselves prepared during March and April.

However, the evaluation of examination papers will begin on March 27. The examination results will be released by June and we are hoping to enrol for universities by July, the Minister added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)