The Disaster Management Centre will establish five dedicated telephone numbers to handle emergency situations during the Grade 5 Scholarship and 2026 Advanced Level examinations, supported by the armed forces and police.

The Disaster Management Centre has announced plans to introduce a specialized emergency response system during the upcoming Grade 5 Scholarship Examination and 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination period. According to DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili, five dedicated hotline numbers will be made available to report disaster situations that may emerge during the examination window.

The Centre has developed a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan in coordination with relevant government institutions to address potential disasters before, during, and after examination days. The initiative will receive ongoing support from Sri Lanka's tri-forces and the Police, ensuring coordinated response capabilities throughout the examination period. The existing DMC emergency hotline 117 will continue to remain operational for general public assistance alongside the new dedicated numbers.

Under the emergency response framework, several contingency measures have been arranged to support examinees and examination administration. These include transport provisions for students to reach examination centres during emergencies, secure transportation of examination papers, and assistance for officials involved in examination duties. Technical updates regarding the situation will be issued at intervals of three to six hours, according to Kodippili.

The five special contact numbers will be publicly announced one day before the examinations commence, allowing sufficient time for students, parents, and examination officials to familiarize themselves with the hotlines. The tri-forces and Police will maintain coordinated operations throughout the examination period to ensure swift response to any emergencies that may arise.