Activities

The following activates are handled by the Examinations Branch of this University.

1. To register students for internal examinations
2. To conduct internal examinations
3. To release of the results of the examinations
4. To issue of examination certificates
5. To charge fees for the repeat students
6. To take necessary action to grant scholarships and prizes
7. To reply to the requests of the students
8. To assist to conduct the General Convocation

Examination Process

The following methods are applied in conducting examinations at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka under the course system for the first degree programme.

Methods of Course Units

Evaluation of each course unit consists of two parts-continuous assessment and end-semester examination. In order to be evaluated and offered a grade, a student must have completed both the continuous component and the end-semester examination.

Continuous Evaluation

Continuous assessment requires students to be evaluated at least once during a semester before the end-semester examination. All the subjects related to continuous assessment will consist of one or more of the methods such as mid-semester examinations, oral or written tests, assignments, presentations, class participation, practical tests and the like. The lecturer may decide the combination of methods of assessment to be used in a particular course. 20% out of the final marks is allotted for continuous assessments.

End-semester Examination

It is compulsory to sit the examination conducted for each course at the end of each semester. Usually, an end-semester examination paper is set for 3 hours 80% marks is assigned for each course of the end-semester examination.

In parallel to the end-semester examination of the first year, examinations will be conducted for both compulsory English and Compulsory Buddhist Councelling courses. The students should participate in these lectures. This is not included in the number of credits that the students have to complete and it will also not be counted for GPA. If these subjects cannot be passed in the first year, they should be passed in another attempt before the degree is obtained.

Grading Criteria

Award of grades and their respective points of value are as follows:

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The Grade point average is the credit-weighted average of the grade points of value of all the courses taken towards the degree programme. In order to calculate the GPA of an undergraduate, first, Credit Value of each course unit (followed by undergraduates) should be multiplied by the relevant numerical value of the grade earned by the student for each course ( as indicated in the table above) Then, the total amount of Grade Points earned should be devided by the total points of Credit Value.

In other words, a student's Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of Grade Points earned by the total amount of Credit Value (Compulsory Course Units courses are not factored in student's GPA)

An Example:

The following example shows how the GPA is calculated.

A student who has completed four course units each of 4 credits and two course units each of 2 credits with grades A,B,C,D,E, and A+ respectively would have the GPA.

=  3x4.0 + 3x3.0 + 3x2.0 + 3x1.0 + 2x3.0 + 2x0.0
3+3+3+3+2+2

= 12+9+6+3+6+0
16

= 36
16

=2.25

= 2.3

To eligible to obtain the B.A. (General) Degree, a student should have accumulated a minimum of 90 credits at the end of the course at the rate at least 30 credits in each academic year and he/she should obtain a minimum of 2.0 GPA at the end of the course.

GPA = Total Grade Points Earned
Total Number of Credits

Repeating Examinations

A student who receives grades of D or E, is offered the chance to upgrade that by repeating the examination in that course. The student should repeat it in the first occasion that the same course unit is offered. The student should complete the continuous evaluations/assessments of the course and marks obtained in the first chance shall not be carried forward to the repeat examinations.

The maximum grade that can be obtained for a repeat course is C. If a student receives a lower grade at a repeat examination than a grade received in earlier attempt, the better grade shall be retained.

Degree Courses

• B. A. (General)
• B. A.( Special)

B.A. (General) Degree

1. A student should complete 90 points of credit value within 3 years, by successfully completing 30 course units at one level (year).
2. The average of 90 points of credit value should be D or a grade better than that and the GPA should be 2.0 minimum.
3. All the above requirements should have been completed within a period of 5 years.
4. failure grades (E, Ab) should not have been obtained.
5. Compulsory English and compulsory Buddhist councelling subjects should have been passed.

1st Class Honors

In order to award a First Class Honors, a student must have:

1. no grades below C for the entire degree program,
2. earned a GPA of not less than 3.70 for the entire degree program,
3. no failure grades-E or ABs,
4. completed all the requirements within three (03) academic years,
5. passed all the compulsory courses.

2nd Class (Upper) Division

 In order to award a Second Class (Upper) Division, a student must have:

1. no grades below C for the entire degree program,
2. earned a GPA of not less than 3.30 in the entire degree program,
3. no failure grades-E or ABs,
4. completed all the requirements within three (03) academic years,
5. passed all the compulsory courses.

2nd Class (Lower) Division

In order to award a Second Class (Lower) Division, a student must have:

1. no grades below C for the entire degree program,
2. earned a GPA of not less than 3.00 in the entire degree program,
3. no failure grades-E or ABs,
4. completed all the requirements within three (03) academic years,
5. passed all the compulsory courses.

The Bachelor of Arts (special) Degree

1. Grade Point Average obtained for all the 30 points of credit value should at least be 2.0 with grade D or a better grade for the First Academic Year.
2. Grade C or a better grade for the repective 10 credit value of the subject chosen for specialization with 3.0 average.
3. The above pre-requisites should have been completed within one academic year.

Eligible students should submit the application forms to the respective departments.

The selection is done after a careful study of the application forms by the relevant departments and the number of students eligible to follow the degree shall be determined by the Heads of the each Department.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Special) Degree.

1. Successfully completed a number of course units carrying a minimum of 120 points of credit value by completing 30 points of credit value at one level.
2. Must have reached a minimum of 2.0 of GPA and the average of 120 points of credit value should be D or a better grade.
3. No failure grades. (E, Ab)
4. Above requirements should be fulfilled within 5 years.
5. Passed all the compulsory courses.

1st Class Honors

In order to award a First Class Honors, Student must have:

1. no grades below C for the entire degree program,
2. earned a GPA of not less than 3.70 for the entire degree program,
3. no failure grades-E or ABs,
4. completed all the requirements within four (04) academic years,
5. passed all the compulsory courses.

2nd Class (Upper) Division Honors

In order to award a Second Class (Upper) Division Honors, a student must have:

1. no grades below C for the entire degree program,
2. earned a GPA of not less than 3.30 in the entire degree program,
3. no failure grades-E or ABs,
4. completed all the requirements within four (04)  academic years,
5. passed all the compulsory courses.

2nd Class (Lower) Division Honors

In order to award a Second Class (Lower) Division Honors, a student must have:

1. no grades below C for the entire degree program,
2. earned a GPA of not less than 3.00 in the entire degree program,
3. no failure grades-E or ABs,
4. completed all the requirements within four (04) academic years,
5. Passed all the compulsory courses.

Diploma / Certificate Courses

General Rules

Valid Reasons for Absence from Mid or End-semester Examinations are mentioned bellow with coding.

• Absent due to medical reasons. MED
• Absent without valid reason (This is equivalent to failing a course)-ABS
• Absent with valid reasons and deferred, which has been approved.

Valid Reasons for Absence from an Examination

• Severe illness, demise of an immediate family member or any other reason approved by the Senate Board are considered as valid reasons for students to be absent from examination.
• Any student who has failed to appear for any examination due to serous ill-health should submit a medical certificate approved by the University Medical Officer to the Office of the dean of the Faculty of ……, within fourteen (14) days with effect from the date of examination.
• In the event that the medical report is accepted, the student shall receive a grade of MED. This qualifies the student to take the examination again on "first attempt" basis.

Consider:

However, the student shall complete all the requirements of the course when s/he takes the examination again, including the continuous evaluation component. The Senate has the final authority in deciding the kind of medical certificates to be accepted for examination purposes.

In the event of a death of an immediate family member, a certified copy of the "death certificate" and proof of relationship should be presented to the Office of the Dean to be presented to the Faculty Board and to the Senate. Under no circumstances, a "death notice" printed at the time of funeral shall be accepted a s a valid document.

Leave of Absence

Students who wish to interrupt their studies at any time before graduation must obtain prior approval of the Dean. Such approvals are granted subject to the following guidelines:

• Students are allowed to withdraw from academic work for one academic year on the basis of studying abroad, special training programs, capacity building, medical reasons and the like.
• The Faculty Board shall decide other cases of request separately, one by one. It is the responsibility of the students to submit all the relevant details for consideration to the Faculty Board. Such submissions must be made at least one month prior to the commencement of the academic year or of the semester.
• It is the responsibility of the student to obtain permission from Scholarship Committees for getting extensions. In such cases, the minimum period of one month specified above may not be sufficient to obtain permission from both the Faculty Board and such Scholarship Boards. Therefore, students must start the process of obtaining approval well in advance before their actual withdrawal date.
• Students must return all the library books before they go on leave and they may not use university facilities during their leave of absence.
• A student who obtains leave of absence for a specified period of time should report back to the Faculty and the University immediately after returning from such leave.

They must make sure to register for the courses with all the other students during the regular registration period in order to restart their studies at the University.

Attendance of students in Lectures

Attendance Requirement

Students are eligible to sit for their final (end-semester) examination only if they fulfill the following two conditions in each semester.

• Students must have participated in the continuous assessments part (assignments, tutorials mid-semester tests and so on, relevant to the evaluation process.)
• Students must have participated in lectures in the following way:
  • Semester 1, First year - 60 per cent or above
  • Semester 2, First year - 80 per cent or above
  • Second year and above - 80 per cent or above

Method of taking Attendance

• Attendance of students in lectures is counted at department level by the lecturer in charge of each course with the assistance of tutors.

Informing students about their class attendance

Students are informed whether they are eligible to sit for the final (end-semester) examination immediately after the identification of students' poor attendance. Students who have not fulfilled the necessary attendance requirement can appeal to the Dean, of the related Faculty, informing the reasons for their weak attendance for lectures. However, requests of the students committed dishonesty are not considered by the Appeal Board.

The students whose appeals are rejected by the Appeal Board can sit for the examination in the relevant semester of the following year or can take the examination, later, as repeat students, subjects, subject to all other criteria of the Faculty.

Effective Date of the Degree

The effective date of the Degree shall be the last day of the examination period of Year III Semester II in case of the BA (General) Degree, and Year IV Semester II in case of the BA (Special) Degree.

Fees that will be charged for repeated sittings for a referred

Question Paper and for a part of the Degree

The First Examination in Arts

• Examination fee for one subject   -          Rs. 150/-
• Examination for two or more subjects-     Rs. 400/-

General Arts and Special Arts Degree Parts 

• Examination fee for one subject             - Rs. 200/-
• Examination fee for two or more subjects   -         Rs. 450/-                                                                                                      

Prizes and Scholarships

Several prizes and scholarships have been founded for scholars who have read for degrees of different levels at the University and have displayed very special skills.  The students who display such skills in a manner that reinforces the identity of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka can be recipients of these prizes and scholarships.

1.         Vice Chancellor’s Prize

This prize has been founded on 07.05.1985 by the Venerable Dr.KakkapalliyeAnuruddhaThero who was the first Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.  This prize is awarded to
the student who has read for any of the degrees of this University, secured a First Class Pass for the Special Arts Degree, and was selected as the cleverest student of that year.  When the scores of the recipients of the First Class Passes are equal, the student who obtained the highest marks in the supplementary subject should be selected as the cleverest.

2.         H.M. Tissera  Commemorative Prize

Awarded to the student who has studied in the English medium and has scored the highest marks, this prize was founded on 29.11.1984 by the wife and children of the late Mr. H.M. Tissera, who had functioned as the first Registrar of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.

3.         P. Subasinghe Prize

This prize is awarded to the student who has followed the Certificate on English study programme earning the highest score.  It has been founded by Mr. P. Subasinghe, the first Bursar of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka in order to convey merit to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Subasinghe.

4.         Pimbure Sri WagishwaraMahaNayakaSwamindra Prize

This prize was founded by the Venerable Katugahahene Dhammapala Thero to commemorate his venerable teachers, and is awarded to the student who has read for the Special Degree on Pali Language and Literature and has obtained the highest marks.

5.         Kalukondayawe Sri PragnasekharaMahaNayakaSwamindra Prize

This prize, founded by the Venerable KatugahaeheneDhammapalaThero to commemorate his venerable teachers, is awarded to the student who has read for the Special Degree on Buddhist Philosophy and has obtained the highest marks.

6.         MiyulinLiyanage Commemoration Prize

Founded on 16.08.1984 by Mr. W.P. Liyanage, who is resident in London with a donation of Rs. 2000/- to commemorate his mother, Mrs. MiyulinLiyanage, this prize is awarded to the student who scores the highest marks for the Question Paper B.P.S. 401 on Buddhist Social Philosophy of the Special Arts Degree (Buddhist Philosophy) Examination.

7.         Nichren-shu Scholarship

This scholarship was founded in the year 1982 with a donation of Rs. 181,000/- by the Nichirenshu sect of Ikegami Otaku of the city of Tokyo in Japan.  It is awarded to students, who are engaged in research activities and possess the required qualifications.  Similarly, financial allocations are granted from the interest occrued in this fund for the academic, non-academic purposes and students’ study requirements (field study trips).

8.         The Most Venerable SirimalwatteAnandaMahanayaka Commemorative Prize

This prize was founded on 01.01.1990 with the donation of Rs. 70,000/- given to the Venerable MapalagamaVipulasaraThero by Mr. KonHiu, doctor of the doctrine and a leading Buddhist in Hong Kong.  One of the prizes is donated to the student who has scored the highest marks for the question paper S.A.G. 302 of the Part II  Examination of the General Arts Degree, and the other prize to the student who has scored the highest marks for the question paper  B.P.G. 302 of the Part II Examination of the General Arts Degree.

9.         Korean National He John Swamindra Scholarship

This scholarship was founded with the donation of US$ 2000 to the Vice Chancellor’s Fund by the Venerable He John, a Korean national.  It is awarded to the three students who score the highest marks for the subjects of Pali, Buddhist Philosophy and Buddhist Culture at the Part II  Examination of the Special Arts Degree.

10.        Muhandiram M.G. Perera and Mrs. Perera Commemoration Scholarship

This scholarship, founded by Mr. Herman G. Perera, lawyer to commemorate his parents, is awarded to the student who has scored the highest marks for the Postgraduate Diploma on Buddhist Studies.

11.        Kiriwatthuduwe Sri Pragnasara Prize

This prize was founded by the Venerable Professor KumburugamuweVajiraThero, the former Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.  It is awarded to the student who scores the highest marks for the question paper on the Early Buddhism-Comments and Problems of the Master of Arts Degree Examination.

12.        Jioun Fund for Research and Publications on Buddhism

This was founded by the Venerable Dr. Jioun Aoki Thero, a Japanese national who participated at the opening ceremony of the new building of the University on the 11th of June, 1992.  The proceeds of the annual interest is utilized for the research and publication activities of this University.

13         Francis Hewawidana Prize

Mr. J. Hewavidana of Elgodella, Pitakatuwana of Kamburupitiya founded this prize on 23.07.1986 by donating the sum of Rs. Twenty five thousand (Rs. 25,000/-) to the fund of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.

14.        BadureliyeJinmaramaNayakaThero Commemoration Prize

This prize was founded by the former President Mr. R. Premadasa on 16.09.1986 through the donation of Rs. Ten Thousand (Rs. 10,000/-) through the Sri Sucarita Co. Ltd.  It is awarded to the student who scores the highest marks for the Question Paper  S.F. 302.

15.        HeenatiyanaDhammalokaNayakaThero Commemorative Prize

This prize was founded by the former President, Mr. R.  Premadasa on 16.09.1986 with  the donation of Rs. Ten Thousand (Rs. 10,000/-) through the Sri Sucarita Campaign.  It is awarded to the student who scores the highest marks for the Question Paper   P.S.  302.

16.        The Kumbuke Don Sanis Appuhamy and Wanniarachchilage Josthina Fonseka Commemoration Prize

This has been founded to be awarded to the student who scores the highest marks for the two question papers on Archaeology of the Final year General Arts Degree Examination.

17.        H.S. Cooray Prize for Skills Displayed at the M.A. Degree Study Programme

Mr. H.S. Cooray, resident at No. 47, Moragasmulla Road, Rajagiriya donated Rs. Ten Thousand (Rs. 10,000/-) to the fund of this University and founded this prize on 26.01.1993.  It is awarded to the student who is successful at the Master of Arts Degree Examination and scores the highest marks, above 65% for the Question paper on “Early Buddhism and the Contemporary Ancient Indian Thought”.

18.        The Venerable Dr. ThumbulleSeelakkhandhaNayakaThero Prize

This prize was founded the Venerable Dr. ThumbulleSeelakkhandhaNayakaThero, the Chief Incumbent of the Sri SumangalaPirivena of Wariyapola, Vice Chancellor of the Buddhasravaka University for monks in Anuradhapura and former Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.  This prize is awarded to the local student who has studied Pali for the Special Degree in the English medium and obtained a First Class pass or a Second Class (Upper) pass.

19.        GamaniJayasuriyaPali Scholarship

Founded by Mr. AnandaJayasuriya of Nimalka Gardens, Colombo 3, Mr. PrasannaJayasuriya and Mrs. DevikaWaidyaratne on behalf of their father, the late Mr. GamaniJayasuriya on 31.05.2005 for the upliftment of the Pali Language and Buddhism, it awards Rs. 7500/- per year at the rate of Rs. 2500/- each to three students who have scored the highest marks in the Pali Language at the Degree Examinations (indicated below) of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka:-

01.        General Arts Degree Part I  Examination (Sinhala Medium)
02.        General Arts Degree Part I Examination (English Medium)
03.        Special Arts Degree (in Pali) Part I  Examination

20.        Sri Cyril de Soyza Commemorative Prize (Pali)

The Kalutara Bodhi Trust founded this prize on 26.01.2006 for the purpose of awarding Rs. 10,000/- per year to the student who scores the highest marks for the subject of Pali at the First in Arts Examination of this University.

21.        Sir Cyril de Soyza Commemorative Prize (Buddhist Philosophy)

The Kalutara Bodhi Trust founded this prize on 26.01.2006 for the purpose of awarding Rs. 10,000/- per year to the student who scores the highest marks for the subject of Buddhist Philosophy at the General Arts Qualifying Examination of this University. (If both these prizes are won by one and the same student, one of the prize is awarded to the student who obtains the second best position in the subject of Pali).

22.        N. SomilawathieBolgodapitiya Scholarship

With the purpose of donating Rs. 9000/- per annum to two student monks who read for the special degree on Buddhist Culture and who have scored the highest number of marks for Buddhist Culture (at least 65%) at the First in Arts Examination of this University, the Department of Public Trustee has founded this scholarship in the year 1991.

23.        Venerable AludeniyePannanandaMahaThero Commemorative Prize on Pali Grammar

This prize was founded on 20.10.2006 by the Venerable Prof. WegamaPiyaratanaThero, former Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka with the donation of Rs. Fifty Thousand (Rs. 50,000/-), in order to commemorate his teacher the Venerable Aludeniye Pannananda Maha Thero. It is awarded equivalently to the two students who reach the first position in the Question Paper on the Pali Language and Grammar  P.F.I.  102 in the English and Sinhala media.

24.        The Venerable Prof. MoratuweSasanaratanaAnunayakeThero Commemorative Prize

In order to commemorate the Venerable Prof. MoratuweSasanaratanaAnunayakaThero, his student Venerable KahapolaSugatharatanaThero donated the sum of Rs. Ten Thousand (Rs. 10,000/-) to this University.  In terms of decision of the Council dated 26.12.2006, the interest accrued on this sum will be awarded as a prize to the student who scores the highest marks for the Question paper  S.F. 101 at the General Arts Qualifying Examination.

25.        The Most Venerable WerellaneWimalatissaNayakaThero Commemorative Prize Fund

This prize fund has been founded to commemorate the late Most Venerable WerellaneWimalatissaNayakaThero by the donation of Rs. 10,000/- to this University by his student the Venerable BeragamaWimaladhammaThero, M.A.  In terms of the decision dated 26.12.2006 of the Council, the interest accrued as interest on this fund, will be awarded as a prize to the student who scores the highest number of marks to the Question Paper  B.P.S.  101 Buddhist Philosophy.

26.        The Venerable WitharandeniyeChandajotiNayakaThero Commemorative Prize

For the purpose of commemorating the Venerable PanditWitharandeniyeChandajotiNayakaThero, Chief Incumbent of Sri SambuddhalokaVihara of Colombo Fort and Chief AdhikaranaSanghanayaka of Colombo NawaKorale, his student the Venerable Prof. IttademaliyeIndasaraThero, Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka has founded this prize with the donation of Rs. One Hundred Thousand (Rs. 100,000/-) to this University.  The interest accrued will be equitably awarded to the three students who score the highest number of marks with a class pass at the Special Arts Degree Examination in the subjects – Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Culture and Pali.

27.        Prof. Oliver Abeynayake Prize

Prof. Oliver Abeynayake has founded this scholarship to award, five years after its foundation, a sum from the interest accrued, as scholarship to the student who scores the highest marks in the subject of Buddhist Philosophy at the Special Arts Degree Part III Examination.

28.        Ven. Thich Then Son Commendation Prize for Pali

This prize has been established on 08.12.2008 by the Venerable Chief Incumbent of the Vietnam Buddhist Temple named “Pagoda Spat Hue” in Germany with the donation of Rs. 50,000/- as a fund.  Prizes will be equitably awarded, out of the interest accrued, to the two students who score the highest marks in the Question Paper on the PaliTripitaka Literature P.S. 101 in the Sinhala and English media at the General Arts Qualifying Annual Examination of this University.

29.        The Venerable BanagalaUpatissaNayakaThero Prize

The Venerable BanagalaUpatissaNahyakaThero of MahabodhiSangamaya of Sri Lanka has deposited a sum of Rs. 100,000/- to award a prize, out of the interest accrued, to the student who completes the entire degree programme and scores the highest number of marks, from among the students who read for the Special Arts Degree Examination in either the Faculty of Buddhist Studies or the Faculty of Language Studies.