• Service Grade: Must be an officer of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service (SLEAS) Grade I.
• Promotion Eligibility Note: Officers who have qualified for promotion to SLEAS Grade I on or before the application closing date may also apply. However, the official Grade I promotion letter must be produced at the interview. Applications from candidates who do not qualify for promotion will be rejected.
• Disqualification: Officers declared unsuitable for appointment as National School Principals by the Public Service Commission (PSC) or the Education Services Committee of the PSC cannot apply.
• Age Limit: Must not exceed 58 years of age as of the closing date (September 30, 2026). (This age restriction does not apply to officers formally appointed to act/cover duties as the Principal of the specific national school applied for).

• Selected officers must serve for a minimum period of three (03) years from the date of assumption of duties, unless otherwise ordered by the Education Services Committee of the PSC. (This does not apply to officers scheduled to retire within three years).
• Once appointed, officers cannot refuse to assume duties in the assigned Principal position without valid, acceptable justifications.

Appointments are made by the Education Services Committee of the Public Service Commission on the recommendation of the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, based on:

• Marks awarded by the Interview Board in accordance with the approved Marking Scheme.
• The applicant’s school preferences.
• Service exigency / operational requirements.
• Past or ongoing disciplinary actions against the applicant.
• School cultural background, traditions, medium of instruction, and school category (Boys/Girls/Mixed).
• Allocation of Non-Selected Vacancies: Candidates who do not secure a preferred school based on interview merit may be considered for other unfilled schools on service exigency.

1. Prepare your application on A4 size paper strictly in accordance with the provided Model Application Form.
2. Affix a recently taken color photograph (2 × 2½ inches) on the top right corner of the application form.
3. Attach formal written certifications by the Additional Secretary (Educational Services) or Provincial Director of Education confirming school management experience (under marking scheme criteria 2.1 and 2.2), school classification (1AB, 1C, Type 2, Type 3), and lawful appointment by the designated authority.
4. Attach formal confirmation from the relevant Ministry Additional Secretary or Provincial Authorities for school supervision experience (under marking scheme 2.3).
5. All qualifications must have been fulfilled on or before the application closing date of September 30, 2026.
6. Send the completed application by Registered Post only. Clearly state “ජාතික පාසල් විදුහල්පති තනතුර – ශ්‍රී ලං. අ.ප.සේ. I” on the top left corner of the envelope.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education
By Order of: Education Services Committee of the Public Service Commission
Signatory: Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary
Date of Notice: 2026.09.10
Official Web: www.moe.gov.lk