North Western Province education authorities have made Mahinda Rajapaksa into "a great ruler who has passed away" in one of the term test question papers.

The term tests in the schools of the province began yesterday. The Grade 10 Buddhism question paper had a MCQ question which asked: "Who was the great ruler who saved the country from enemies, kept a book of merits and drew his last breath watching the greatest temple he built?"

The four choices given were: 1. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa 2. Former President J.R. Jayawardene 3. King Dutugemunu 4. King Parakramabahu the Great.

Apart from this, several other major shortcomings were reported during the first day of the term tests from different areas in the province.