GCE O/L Exam Time Table 2026 (Sri Lanka) – 8 to 17 December 2026
Quick answer: The Sri Lanka G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination 2026 runs from Tuesday 8 December to Thursday 17 December 2026. It starts with Religion on 8 December and ends with category (basket) subject papers on 17 December. Morning papers begin at 8:30 AM and afternoon papers at 1:00 PM.
- Exam window: 8–17 December 2026 (no papers on Sunday 13 December).
- The Department of Examinations released the time table in early October 2026, in Sinhala, Tamil and English.
- Applications closed on 23 July 2026 – no extensions.
- Calculators, correction fluid and mobile phones are not allowed in the exam hall.
O/L exam time table 2026 – subject-wise dates
This is the day-by-day O/L 2026 schedule as published from the Department of Examinations time table. Category (basket) subjects are grouped on 15 and 17 December – check the official PDF for the exact day and time of your own subject.
| Date | Day | Subject / paper | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Dec 2026 | Tuesday | Religion (Buddhism, Saivanery, Catholicism, Christianity, Islam) | Morning |
| 09 Dec 2026 | Wednesday | First Language & Literature (Sinhala / Tamil) – Papers I & II | Morning |
| 09 Dec 2026 | Wednesday | First Language & Literature (Sinhala / Tamil) – Paper III | Afternoon |
| 10 Dec 2026 | Thursday | History – Paper II | Morning |
| 10 Dec 2026 | Thursday | History – Paper I | Afternoon |
| 11 Dec 2026 | Friday | English Language – Papers I & II | Morning |
| 12 Dec 2026 | Saturday | Aesthetic subjects (Music, Dancing, Art) | Morning |
| 12 Dec 2026 | Saturday | Literature, Drama & Art – Paper II | Afternoon |
| 14 Dec 2026 | Monday | Mathematics – Paper I | Morning |
| 14 Dec 2026 | Monday | Mathematics – Paper II | Afternoon |
| 15 Dec 2026 | Tuesday | Category (basket) subjects – e.g. ICT, Agriculture, Home Economics, Health | Morning |
| 16 Dec 2026 | Wednesday | Science – Paper II | Morning |
| 16 Dec 2026 | Wednesday | Science – Paper I | Afternoon |
| 17 Dec 2026 | Thursday | Category (basket) subjects – e.g. Business & Accounting, Geography, Civic Education, second languages | Morning |
Morning session from 8:30 AM, afternoon session from 1:00 PM. Exact paper durations are printed in the official time table and on your admission card.
When is the O/L exam 2026 (2027)?
The exam is held from 8 to 17 December 2026. Because results and A/L admissions follow in 2027, many students call it the O/L 2026 (2027) exam – it is the same examination. The previous O/L exam (the 2025 exam) was held from 17 to 26 February 2026.
How to download the O/L time table 2026 PDF (Sinhala, Tamil, English)
- Go to the Department of Examinations website, doenets.lk.
- Open the notices / time tables section and choose G.C.E. (O/L) Examination 2026.
- Download the time table in Sinhala, Tamil or English.
Your school (or, for private candidates, the admission card) will confirm your exam centre and index number.
Sri Lanka exam dates 2027 (A/L, O/L, Grade 5)
The Department of Examinations has also announced the main national exam dates for 2027:
| Exam | Date |
|---|---|
| Grade 5 Scholarship Examination 2027 | Sunday 1 August 2027 |
| G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) 2027 | 3 – 28 August 2027 |
| General Information Technology (GIT) 2027 | 24 October 2027 |
| G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) 2027 | 7 – 17 December 2027 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the O/L exam 2026 in Sri Lanka?
The 2026 G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination runs from Tuesday 8 December to Thursday 17 December 2026, according to the time table released by the Department of Examinations.
Where can I download the O/L time table 2026 PDF in Sinhala, Tamil or English?
The Department of Examinations publishes the official O/L 2026 time table PDF in Sinhala, Tamil and English on doenets.lk. Always use the official PDF or your admission card for the exact paper times.
What time do O/L exam papers start?
Morning papers start at 8:30 AM and afternoon papers start at 1:00 PM. The exact start and finish time of each paper is printed in the official time table.
What is the first and last paper of O/L 2026?
The first paper is Religion on Tuesday 8 December 2026. The last day is Thursday 17 December 2026, with category (basket) subject papers.
Why is it called the O/L 2026 (2027) exam?
The 2026 O/L exam is held in December 2026, but results and A/L admissions follow in 2027, so many students and schools write it as O/L 2026 (2027). It is the same exam: 8–17 December 2026.
Can I still apply for the O/L exam 2026?
No. Online applications for the 2026 G.C.E. O/L examination (school and private candidates) closed on 23 July 2026, and the Department of Examinations said no extension would be given.
When will the O/L 2026 results be released?
The Department of Examinations has not announced a result date yet. As a guide, results of the previous O/L exam (held in February 2026) were scheduled for release by mid-June 2026.
Can I bring a calculator to the O/L exam?
No. Calculators and correction fluid are not allowed in any paper, and bringing a mobile phone or other electronic device into the exam hall is a punishable offence.
When is the 2027 A/L exam in Sri Lanka?
The Department of Examinations has announced that the 2027 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) exam will be held from 3 to 28 August 2027.
When is the Grade 5 Scholarship exam 2027?
The 2027 Grade 5 Scholarship examination is scheduled for Sunday 1 August 2027, according to the Department of Examinations.
Open the Department of Examinations website
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