The Ministry of Education has informed candidates of the 2026 General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) examination that schools will remain open until August 7, allowing students to use the final classroom sessions for revision and last-minute preparation.
Under the 2026 school calendar, the first phase of the third school term in Sinhala and Tamil medium schools will run from July 27 to August 7, providing nine school days ahead of the national examination. The Ministry urged candidates to make maximum use of the period and to keep regular attendance.
The clarification settles uncertainty around school continuity in the run-up to the test. The 2026 A/L will be held from August 10 to September 5 over 22 days in morning and afternoon sessions per the Department of Examinations timetable released earlier this month. The full schedule is available at doenets.lk.
The Ministry said education authorities had finalised arrangements for the conduct of the examination, which is expected to be taken by thousands of candidates across the island. The 2025 A/L cohort that wrote the paper earlier this cycle saw 62.64% qualify for university entrance from 281,810 candidates.
Today’s statement is distinct from political calls to push the schedule back: Sarvajana Balaya leader Dilith Jayaweera publicly urged the government to reconsider the August window earlier on Friday. The Ministry has not indicated any change to the August 10 start date.
Source: Ada Derana — Schools to continue until August 7 for 2026 A/L candidates.
