Transport allowance cuts for 2024 A/L exams spark controversy: Stalin

Colombo, December 9 (Daily Mirror) - An issue has arisen over the issue of two circulars by the Examinations Commissioner General regarding the reduction of transport allowances for officials engaged in examination duties for the 2024 Advanced Level (A/L) examinations, Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Addressing the media, he said that the first circular was issued on November 1.

According to this circular, Rs. 1,000 was allocated for transporting examination papers from examination centres if the distance exceeded 10 kilometres.

However, another circular issued on November 8 stated that the transport allowance for distances exceeding 10 kilometres had been reduced to Rs. 500. The Rs. 750 previously allocated for distances between 5 and 10 kilometres was reduced to Rs. 400. Similarly, the Rs. 500 allowance for distances between 2 and 5 kilometres was reduced to Rs. 300, and the Rs. 300 allocated for distances less than 2 kilometres was reduced to Rs. 200.

Stalin claimed that revising and reducing these transport allowances through a new circular is unacceptable. He pointed out that this change has caused difficulties for examination supervisors on duty.

He demanded that the Examinations Commissioner General provide an explanation for creating this problematic situation. Stalin emphasised that if an allowance was promised, it should be provided as said.

Therefore, the CTU urged the Department of Examinations to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the promised transport allowances are paid to the officials engaged in examination duties.