by Rasika Jayakody 

Principal of the Asian International School has been sent on compulsory leave due to an alleged controversy involving leaked exam papers, Asian Mirror reliably learns. 

Goolbai Gunasekera, former Principal of the school and one of the Directors of the AIS, has taken over the operations of the school in the absence of the former Principal. 

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The AIS, a well known international school in Sri Lanka and they comply with worldwide Edexcel exams. If the controversy has something to do with Edexcel exam papers, that will inevitably lead to a serious crisis in many educational institutes across the world who follow the same Edexcel syllabus. That is why a statement coming from the Asian International School is of pivotal importance at this particular point! 

Unauthoritative sources from the school told 'Asian Mirror' that the former Principal's office has been sealed due to leaked exam papers controversy. Asian International School is yet to confirm this allegation.

Asian Mirror contacted the Asian International School this morning through the general telephone number that appears on their website and asked for Mrs. Goolbai Gunasekera and the call was then transferred to the "new Principal's" office. 

A staff member who wished to remain anonymous answered the phone and confirmed that Goolbai Gunasekera was back. Within a matter of few seconds, she changed her tone and said "she doesn't have to RETURN to AIS as she always remained with the school as a Director." When asked whether she has taken over the operations of the school, she remained silent. After a few seconds of silence, the 'spokesperson' hung up the phone.

Then 'Asian Mirror' asked whether the former Principal has been sent on compulsory leave. The spokesman said she did not have the authority to comment on that. 

Asian Mirror then contacted Gunasekera through her mobile number and she admitted that the former Principal has been 'sent home'. However she refused the claims that exam papers have been leaked.

'I don't know about any such controversy. I don't want to comment on the reasons that warranted the move," she said.

However, the Asian International school's silence on the matter has given rise to various speculations. We also contacted the Department of Police to ascertain whether there was any police Complaint over leaked exam papers. Police Media Unit, the authorized body to issue media statements on behalf of the Police, said it had no knowledge of any complaint lodged by the Asian International School. The OICs of Kirulapona and Narahenpita Police stations, the closest Police stations to the Asian International School, could not be contacted this morning as they were on official duty, away from their offices.  

Then why was the Principal's office sealed - remains a question! What makes the picture bleaker is the inability on the part of the Asian International School to issue a clear media statement on the matter.