May 17, Colombo: Sources at Sri Lanka's Education Ministry say that a new circular will be issued next week for the admission of students to year one in Sri Lanka's public schools for the year 2009.

Ministry Secretary Nimal Bandara said that court orders, ministerial board decisions and recommendations made by the Educational Commission were taken into consideration when drafting the new circular.

According to sources, the pre-admission intelligence test administered to the students has been cancelled, and 42 students are permitted to be enrolled per class by the new circular. Also, 50% of the students enrolled should be area residents and 25% of the vacancies will be given to children of old boys and girls. The remaining 25% will be given to the children of transferred public officers and to children who have siblings in the same school.