Application for Prison Guards – 2025 (Open Exam)

The Ministry of Justice and National Integration, in collaboration with the Department of Prisons, has announced the Open Competitive Examination for the Recruitment of Prison Guards (Male/Female) – 2025.

According to the Gazette notification dated 29th August 2025, a total of 479 vacancies will be filled through this examination, including 409 posts for male candidates and 70 posts for female candidates.

The written examination will be conducted in November 2025 in main cities across the island, including Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Badulla, and Ratnapura. Candidates who qualify at the written test will face a physical fitness test and a suitability assessment interview before final selection.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a Sri Lankan citizen with good health and character.
• Age limit: Between 18 and 30 years (born on or before 19.09.2007 and on or after 19.09.1995).
• Educational qualifications: Six subjects including Sinhala/Tamil/English and Mathematics at G.C.E. (O/L) in not more than two sittings, with credit passes in two subjects.
• Physical requirements:
  • Male – Minimum height: 5’4’’, chest at least 32 inches (without inhaling).
  • Female – Minimum height: 5’2’’.
• Applicants must be unmarried.

Recruitment Process

• Written Examination: Two subjects – General Intelligence and General Knowledge (each 100 marks).
• Physical Fitness Test:
  • Male – Run 1,000m in 3 minutes 44 seconds.
  • Female – Run 400m in 2 minutes 05 seconds.
• Suitability Assessment Interview: Marks awarded for educational/professional qualifications, sports skills, leadership, and community service.

Service Conditions & Salary

Appointments are permanent and pensionable with a three-year probationary period. The monthly salary scale is Rs. 49,550 – 71,420 under the Public Administration Circular No. 10/2025. Selected candidates must be prepared to serve outside their permanent residence for the first five years.