"The students who have fallen short of achieving university entrance marks at the GCE Advanced Level examinations, should not feel upset as I will take their responsibility if they come to us for vocational training," he said.

Inviting them to sign up with the ministry's vocational training institutes for vocational education and training, the minister said he expects parents to act with a stronger focus on equipping their children with the right kind of training and qualifications.

"This is the best time for the students to integrate into vocational training programmes having completed their exams," he said.

The Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka , the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), and the Sri Lanka Technical Institute are all keyed up to provide the students with a diverse range of vocational training programmes which are based on international job market requirements, the minister said.