English Language Examination Application for SLPS

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has announced that the English Language Examination for officers in the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service will be conducted in March 2026 in Colombo. The notice has been issued in accordance with the Service Minute published in Gazette No. 1885/31 dated 22 October 2014.

According to the official notification, applications will be accepted exclusively online through the “Online Applications – Recruitment Exams/E.B. Exams” portal available on the Department of Examinations website. The application period will open at 9.00 a.m. on 24 November 2025 and close at 9.00 p.m. on 26 December 2025.

Following online submission, applicants must download the completed application, sign it, obtain certification from the head of their institution, and send the printed copy to the Department of Examinations by registered post before the closing date. Delays in postal submission will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Exam Requirement and Exemptions

All officers in the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service are required to obtain proficiency in English, the designated Link Language, within three years of recruitment. Officers meeting the criteria outlined in Public Service Commission Circular No. 08/2020 will be exempt from sitting for the examination. Others must successfully complete the exam.

Syllabus and Evaluation

The examination will comprise a single paper in General English (100 marks, 3 hours). The syllabus covers core aspects of English grammar—including tenses, sentence structures, determiners, prepositions, and reported speech—as well as modern writing formats such as summary writing, report writing, and essay writing.
A minimum of 40% is required to pass the examination.

Application Verification and Admission

The Department of Examinations will verify both the soft copy and printed copy of the application. Applicants will be notified via SMS or email regarding the acceptance or rejection of their application. Examination admissions will be issued online, and candidates will be informed through SMS or web notification. Any corrections to admission details must be made before the examination date.