N.U. Abdul Razzak Udayar
KANDY
The Department of Examination formally announced and posted the results of the 2024 G.C.E. A/L Examination on Saturday 26th April 2025. A total number of 274,361 students who sat for this decisive examination have got a big relief for they are free to take their next bold step in their academic journey of Higher Studies. To be precise, there were 222,774 school applicants and 51,587 private candidates who appeared for the 2024 A/L examination that was held in November and December 2024. On Sunday 27th April 2025, addressing the media at the conference held at the Department, the Commissioner General of Examinations, Mr. Amit Jayasundara stated that 64.73 % candidates have got the basic qualifications for the university admission numbering 177,588 to claim a spot in the state universities of this country, though practically around fifty thousand will be enrolled to the state universities. He was elated to reveal that 9, 400 candidates (3.45%) obtained 3As though there were 10, 484 students who got 9As in 2024 A/L that was held in 2024.The Commissioner was concerned to reveal that 29,244 candidates have failed in all three main subjects making it a substantial slice of 10 percent (10.66) of the total number of students who sat for this annual examination.
Toppers of 2024 GCE A/L Examination
• Biology Stream
– 1st Place: Sandithi Nimthara Hegoda Arachchi – Maliyadeva Girls’ College, Kurunegala
– 2nd Place: Kalpa Vidhusarani – Anuradhapura Central College
– 3rd Place: Jamunanantha Pranavan – Hindu College, Jaffna
• Physical Science Stream
– 1st Place: Lasandu Ransara Kumarage – Bandaranayake College, Gampaha
– 2nd Place: Kandasamy Dasarath – Hatley College, Hatton
– 3rd Place: Thevindu Dilmith Dahanayake – Bandaranayake College, Gampaha
• Commerce Stream
1st Place: Amasha Dulari – Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo
– 2nd Place: Induwara Sanhitha Kumarapeli – Royal College, Colombo
– 3rd Place: Lesandi Uthara Perera – Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda
• Arts Stream
– 1st Place: Senali Chamathka Ranasinghe – Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha
– 2nd Place: Dinethmi Methanga Janakantha – Ferguson High School, Rathnapura
– 3rd Place: Isuri Anjalika Peiris – Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy
• Engineering Technology Stream
– 1st Place: Kavya Ravihansa – Mayurapada Central College, Narammala
– 2nd Place: Ushan Malith Jayasuriya – Sivali Central College, Ratnapura
– 3rd Place: Pasindu Madushanka – Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya, Hikkaduwa
• Biosystems Technology Stream
– 1st Place: Nethmi Navodya Marasinghe – Sadalanka National School
– 2nd Place: Mahisha Pathirana – Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy
– 3rd Place: Chamodi Hansika – Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha
Female Candidates Taking the Lead!
In the 2024 Advanced Level (A/L) examinations, female candidates have outperformed their male counterparts, according to Examinations Commissioner General Amit Jayasundara.
A total of 64.73% of all candidates who sat for the examination have qualified for university admission. Among them, 71.93% of female candidates qualified for university, compared to 60.24% of male candidates.
A similar trend was observed in the percentage of students who failed all three subjects. 13.87% of male candidates failed all three subjects, whereas only 8.6% of female candidates did not pass any of the subjects.
Vishakian Ranuli Kavithya, Two in One
Making History
The rising star of Vishaka College, Colombo Ranuli Kavithya Wijesirwardhana is the centre of attraction as she has made a new record in the annals of the history of Education to be double crowded for her rare feat. She is the brilliant student who sat for both the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) examinations in the same year obtaining outstanding results in both.
Ranuli Kavithya Wijesirwardhana, who sat for the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. O/L examination held from 6 May 2024, achieved an exceptional 8 As and 1 B, with her only B in English Literature. Undeterred by the challenge, she went on to sit for the G.C.E. A/L examination in the Physical Science stream on 25 November 2024, where she earned 3 As and secured an impressive island rank of 963.
She sat for the G.C.E. O/L examination from Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo. However, according to the current education system, students are not permitted to sit for the A/L examination until they reach the required age. Hence, she withdrew from school admission and sat for the A/L examination as a private candidate.
Jaffna Twins of Hindu College Bask in Glory
Hindu College, Jaffna that invariably sends a large number of students to state universities annually, particularly to the medical and Engineering faculties has the pride of having special excellence through the twin brothers Pranavan and Saravanan who are ranked 1st & 2nd in the Jaffna District 3rd and 5th nationally. Interestingly their father, Dr. Jamunanantha Sivanathan who is their guiding star is Medical Professional employed at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
Nine As’ Achiever, Zainab Shafi, the Cynosure in 2024 G.C.E.
A/L Examination
The daughter of the household name, eminent and honest Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, Zainab, a product of a Tamil School in Kalmunai has come off with flying colours securing 3As ensuring her entrance to the Medical Faculty shortly. Interestingly she has obtained 9As in the G.C.E. O/L examination two years ago in Kurunegala. Her path of success was not a bed of roses but a ragged thorns as her whole family was unfairly harassed on a political agenda when her Dad, Dr. Shafi was working at Kurunegala General Hospital.
, Like her father, Zainab too became a target of vicious and baseless attacks. She was falsely accused of distributing contraceptive-laced sanitary napkins among her classmates — a cruel rumour that disrupted her school life in Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya. Where there is a will there is a way. This adage reminds that anyone can achieve feats even under trying conditions. The best lesson that one should draw from this young achiever that language is not a barrier for glory. In a short span of two years, she completed her studies in Tamil as she has been student of the Sinhala Medium from Grade one. Zainab is determined to follow the path of her father to become a dedicated doctor for this nation.
Kinniya Al-Hira Muslim Ladies’ College Student, Minha Achieves Historic Milestone
In a remarkable achievement, M.N. Minha, a student of Al-Hira Muslim Ladies’ College, Kinniya, has secured first place in the Trincomalee District in the 2024 GCE Advanced Level Examination under the Biology stream. She has also been selected for admission to the field of Medicine, bringing immense pride to her school and community.
The establishment of a Science stream at Al-Hira Muslim Ladies’ College was a long-standing demand by the school authorities, parents, and the local community. Despite facing repeated delays and bureaucratic hurdles, approval was finally granted following persistent efforts and protests.
It is noteworthy that in the very first year of launching the Science stream, the school has produced a top achiever. M.N. Minha’s outstanding success stands as a testament to the resilience of the institution and is expected to inspire future generations of students to aim higher and dream bigger.
