Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Mahela Jayawardena expressed disappointment with the statement made by UPFA MP Banduka Gunawardena yesterday condemning the international school student who topped island rankings at the GCE A/L examination.

Jayawardena 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."

Senadhi Alwis of Lyceum International School, Panadura, topped the island ranking in the Arts stream in the GCE A/Level examination, last year.

UPFA Parliamentarian BandulaGunawardena said the government had undermined the state education system by allowing international school students to sit for government exams such as GCE A/Level. 

Addressing a press conference in Colombo last morning, Gunawardena hit out at an international school student becoming the island first at the GCE A/Level examination 2018. 

"This has never happened in the country's education system. International school students always sat for foreign exams while local students appeared for state exams such as GCE O/ Level and A/Level. From what I can see, the government has allowed international school students to sneak into the local education system," Gunawardena said. 

The UNP also commended the effort of the international school student who topped the island ranking at the GCE A/Level administration.

"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," the UNP tweeted this morning.