A disagreement over the dress code at an examination centre in Pannipitiya escalated yesterday, leading to the temporary closure of the facility.

The incident occurred when a group of teachers, reporting for the evaluation of GCE Advanced Level Examination answer scripts, were denied entry by the school principal for not wearing sarees. The principal insisted that sarees are mandatory attire for teachers on school premises.

The teachers argued that the examination centre is under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner General of Examinations, not the school, and thus the principal’s dress code enforcement was unwarranted.

The situation intensified into a heated argument, prompting police intervention to restore order. Despite discussions, no resolution was reached, leading the Commissioner General of Examinations to suspend operations at the centre temporarily.

A meeting has been scheduled for today to address and resolve the matter.