Commissioner General of Examinations, Indika Kumari Liyanage said that all arrangements have been made to hold the 2026 General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) Advanced Level Examination (A/L) starting from August 10 to September 5 at 2,532 examination centres across the island.

While participating in a special media briefing today (8), she stated that a total of 372,310 candidates are scheduled to sit for the examination, including 264,496 school candidates and 107,814 private candidates.

Liyanage said that admission cards for school candidates have been sent to the respective school principals, while those of private candidates have been mailed to their addresses.

Candidates are required to have their signatures on the admission cards properly certified before entering the examination hall. 

She stated that if the admission card is lost, it can be re-downloaded from the official website of the Department of Examinations.

She also stated that candidates may use only a National Identity Card (NIC), valid driving licence, or valid passport for identity verification at the examination.

The Commissioner General of Examinations further stated that if a candidate’s NIC has been lost, two photographs used for a Postal Identity Card may be used as a temporary identification document, provided they are certified by the school principal for school candidates and by the relevant Grama Niladhari for private candidates.

Students have been advised to arrive at examination centres at least one hour before the scheduled starting time and carefully follow the examination timetable.

The Department has also reminded candidates that mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, and notes are strictly prohibited inside examination halls.

Liyanage warned candidates against examination malpractice, noting that the results of many students had been suspended in previous years due to examination fraud.

She urged all candidates to strictly follow examination rules and regulations and assured that the Department of Examinations is prepared to provide necessary facilities in the event of an emergency.