Bandula criticised over comments on A/L student

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardana is being criticised over the comment he made on an Advanced Level (A/L) student of an International School who was among the students who obtained top marks at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) A/L Examination.

Addressing a media briefing recently, Gunawardana blamed the Government for allowing students of International Schools be placed on par with students from Government Schools.

Responding to Gunawardana’s comment in disapproving manner, UPFA Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa stated that there should not be discrimination between the Local and International Schools for National Examinations.

Free education is essential in ensuring children receive the opportunities they deserve. There shouldn’t be a discrimination between local & international schools for national exams & if there are concerns they should be addressed without disrupting the children’s achievements https://t.co/kfkeM0IOXL

— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) January 1, 2019

“Free education is essential in ensuring children receive the opportunities they deserve. There should not be discrimination between Local and International Schools for National Examinations and if there are concerns they should be addressed without disrupting the children’s achievements,” Rajapaksa tweeted.

Very disappointed with this comment.. Education is knowledge if it’s free or paid. We should always encourage our next generations achievements. Congratulations to all students but specially to the young girl who came 5th all island. Well done. ???? https://t.co/Hbp65t4gxL

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) January 2, 2019

I think MP Bandula G’s position on this issue is not correct. Only way to manage this issue is to introduce some kind of regulatory mechanism to Int School system and to open way for those students to move into the main stream of the #Education. #lka #Srilanka https://t.co/U2JIl2GUdh

— Charitha Herath, PhD (@charith9) January 1, 2019

We congratulate the students who received their marks for the recent A/L examinations.

Regardless of their school, their accomplishments are something they must be proud of.

There is no difference in a student who attends an international school and a government school.#lka

— UNP (@officialunp) January 2, 2019

Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene, Academic Dr. Charitha Herath, and the United National Party (UNP) also criticised Gunawardana’s comment in an unfavourable manner.