_{May Day rally of the United People’s Freedom Alliance held at the Colombo Municipal grounds. (File Photo)}


The inaugural rally of the UPFA which is being held today at Anuradhapura public grounds, in line with the upcoming election, has caused immense disturbance to students sitting for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, claims the Ceylon teachers’ Union (CTU).

A large number of students are said to be facing this year’s examinations at the 3 examination centers located at the Anuradhapura Central College, Swarnapali Balika College and Walisinghe Harischandra College.

The UPFA meeting is slated to be held today near the Anuradhapura Central College and poary supporters are already making a big commotion using loudspeakers and conducting parades across the city, CTU general secretary Joseph Stalin said pointing out that this is a disturbance to students currently sitting for the exam.

He emphasized that measures should be taken to prevent difficulties faced by students due to organizing main election rallies at the center of the city, where most A/L examination centers are located.

 The CTU general secretary, speaking to Ada Derana, stated that he had complained to the Elections Commissioner today (18) regarding election propaganda activities being carried out in a manner that causes difficulties to students and violates election laws.

He, however, said it was regrettable that so far no proper action has been taken in this regard.

The first main political rally of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday in Anuradhapura while the second main rally is to be in Ratnapura.