Magistrate orders probe into alleged exam fraud at Pali and Buddhist University

By Bhagya Silva 

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday ordered the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau to forward certain documents, including examination papers and answer scripts to the Government Examiner of Questioned Documents in connection with allegations that a lecturer had written answers on behalf of a candidate at the English Diploma examination of the Sri Lanka Pali and Buddhist University, thereby enabling the issuance of a certificate.  

The order followed consideration of a report submitted by the Bureau based on a written complaint lodged by Ven. Bogamuwa Dheerananda Thera, Senior Assistant Registrar of the University.  

The Bureau informed Court that the alleged malpractice had taken place at the 2021 examination, where answer scripts had been fraudulently written by another individual.   It was further revealed that the complaint was made on the basis of information provided by a candidate who sat the English Diploma examination in 2019. According to the complaint, a certificate had been issued indicating that this candidate had sat the examination again in 2021. Upon reviewing the answer scripts, it was observed that the handwriting was similar to that of a female administrative officer who had been involved in handling the examination documents.  

The Bureau therefore requested Court to refer the documents to the Examiner of Questioned Documents for verification.  

Having considered the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that the relevant papers be sent for expert examination and further directed the Bureau to expedite investigations and report progress to Court.