Sri Lanka Foreign Service Grade III Open Competitive Examination 2026
The Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism have announced the Open Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service – 2026.
A total of 25 vacancies are available for eligible candidates. The examination will be conducted by the Commissioner General of Examinations in Colombo in November 2026.
📢 Sri Lanka Foreign Service Examination 2026 – Key Details
| 📌 Details | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Service | Sri Lanka Foreign Service |
| 🎯 Grade | Grade III |
| 🪑 Vacancies | 25 |
| 📝 Examination | Open Competitive Examination |
| 📅 Examination | November 2026 |
| 🌍 Location | Colombo |
| 🗓️ Applications Open | 07 September 2026 – 9.00 a.m. |
| ⏰ Applications Close | 06 October 2026 – 9.00 p.m. |
| 💰 Examination Fee | Rs. 1,200/- |
| 💵 Salary Scale | Rs. 82,150 – Rs. 195,970 |
| 🗣️ Examination Medium | Sinhala / Tamil / English |
The online application form will be available through the Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka website under Our Service → Online Applications – Recruitment/E.B. Exams.
🎓 Educational Qualifications
Applicants must possess one of the following qualifications:
- 🎓 A degree from a foreign or state university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- 🎓 A degree awarded by a university established by an Act of Parliament of Sri Lanka.
- 🎓 A degree recognized under Section 25A of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978.
Applicants must also be physically and mentally fit to serve in Sri Lanka or any part of the world and perform the duties of the post.
👤 Other Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- 🇱🇰 Be a citizen of Sri Lanka.
- ⭐ Have an excellent character.
- 📄 Submit a police report regarding themselves at the interview.
- 📅 Fulfil all recruitment requirements by the closing date.
- 🚫 Not be ordained in any religious order.
- 🔢 Not have previously sat this examination more than three occasions.
⚠️ Important
Applicants with dual citizenship must rescind their foreign nationality if selected for the Sri Lanka Foreign Service and must not acquire citizenship of another country during the period of service.
🎂 Age Limit
General Applicants
Applicants must:
- Be 22 years or older, and
- Be under 28 years of age on the closing date of applications.
Accordingly, applicants must have been born on or before 06 October 2004 and on or after 06 October 1998.
👨💼 Applicants Already in the Public Service
Candidates already serving in the Public Service must be under 35 years of age on the closing date.
They must also have a satisfactory record of service according to the conditions specified in the Gazette notification.
💰 Salary Scale
The applicable salary scale is:
💵 Rs. 82,150 – 10 × Rs. 2,400 – 8 × Rs. 2,940 – 17 × Rs. 3,900 – Rs. 195,970
Salary Code: SL-1-2025
The salary scale is based on Schedule I of Public Administration Circular No. 10/2025 dated 25 March 2025.
📝 Written Examination
The written examination will be conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Candidates may apply in one of these three languages and must sit all question papers in the selected language medium. The language medium cannot subsequently be changed.
📚 Examination Subjects and Marks
| No. | 📖 Subject | ⏱️ Duration | 🏆 Marks | ✅ Minimum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | General Paper | 3 hours | 100 | 40 |
| 2️⃣ | World Affairs I | 3 hours | 100 | 40 |
| 3️⃣ | World Affairs II | 3 hours | 100 | 40 |
| 4️⃣ | Essay | 3 hours | 100 | 40 |
| 5️⃣ | Précis | 30 minutes | 50 | 25 |
| 6️⃣ | MCQ Paper | 2 hours 30 minutes | 150 | 75 |
| 7️⃣ | Language Proficiency | 3 hours | 100 | 40 |
⚠️ MCQ Paper Comes First
All candidates are required to sit the MCQ paper first.
Only candidates who obtain the required minimum marks in the MCQ paper will be eligible to sit the remaining subjects.
🌍 What Does the Examination Cover?
🧠 General Paper
The General Paper assesses knowledge of Sri Lanka’s:
- Political environment
- Social environment
- Cultural environment
- Economic environment
- Current national and international affairs
- Scientific and technological developments
🌎 World Affairs I
This paper focuses on:
- Global peace and security
- Political developments
- United Nations and international organizations
- Conflict situations
- National and international movements
- Global trends and their impact on Sri Lanka
💹 World Affairs II
This paper covers:
- Economic development trends
- International organizations
- Regional economic groupings
- Environmental issues
- Sustainable development
- Relevance of international economic developments to Sri Lanka
✍️ Essay and Précis Papers
📝 Essay
The Essay paper assesses general knowledge, intelligence, thinking ability and the candidate’s ability to clearly express ideas.
Candidates are expected to present relevant points clearly and concisely, with attention to writing style and presentation.
📖 Précis
The Précis paper assesses the candidate’s ability to understand a given passage and express its meaning clearly, concisely and attractively.
🧩 MCQ Paper
The MCQ paper contains two sections:
1️⃣ Intelligence Test
Tests the candidate’s:
- Logical ability
- Analytical skills
Time: 75 minutes
2️⃣ General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Tests knowledge of developments in:
- Political fields
- Economic fields
- Socio-cultural fields
- Domestic affairs
- International affairs
Time: 75 minutes
The two sections together contain 100 questions and carry 150 marks.
🗣️ Language Proficiency Paper
The Language Proficiency paper assesses candidates’ language skills.
Candidates sitting the examination in Sinhala or Tamil must sit for a paper in English.
Candidates sitting the examination in English must sit for a paper in either Sinhala or Tamil.
🎤 Interview for Eligibility Assessment
Candidates must:
- Sit all seven written papers.
- Obtain the minimum pass mark in every subject.
- Obtain an aggregate mark of at least 300, subject to the applicable cut-off.
- Be among the candidates selected for the interview.
The number called for the interview will not exceed five times the number of vacancies. With 25 vacancies, this means the number called cannot exceed 125 candidates, subject to the other requirements.
The interview carries 100 marks.
The interview panel will assess suitability for the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, including:
- 🧠 Mental alertness
- 👤 Personality
- 🗣️ Communication skills
- 🌐 Proficiency in other languages
- 🎓 Higher educational qualifications
🏆 Interview Marking Scheme
The 100 interview marks include assessment of:
- 🎓 Additional Educational Qualifications – 20 marks
- 📚 Other / Professional Qualifications – 15 marks
- 🇬🇧 English Language Proficiency – 15 marks
- 🌎 Foreign Language Proficiency – 10 marks
- 💻 Computer Skills – 5 marks
- 🗣️ Proficiency in Official Languages – 10 marks
- 👤 Personality, Communication & Interview Skills – 25 marks
Total: 100 marks
💻 How to Apply Online
The examination application must be completed online and in English only.
Applicants should:
- 🌐 Access the Department of Examinations online application system.
- 📥 Download and read the instructions before completing the application.
- ✍️ Complete the application carefully.
- 📤 Submit the application online.
- 📱 Check the SMS or email notification confirming whether the submitted application has been accepted.
- 🖨️ Keep a printed copy of the completed application.
Incomplete applications will be rejected without notice. Amendments made after obtaining a printed copy of the application will not be considered valid amendments.
📅 Application Period
Opening: 07 September 2026 at 9.00 a.m.
Closing: 06 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
⚠️ Candidates should not wait until the final date to submit their applications.
🎫 Admission Card
Examination admission cards will be issued online to eligible applicants who submit duly completed applications on or before the closing date.
The Examination Department will notify candidates through a web notification, SMS or other specified method when admission cards are issued.
Candidates must produce their admission card at the examination hall. A candidate who fails to produce the admission card will not be allowed to sit the examination.
💳 Examination Fee
The examination fee is:
💰 Rs. 1,200/-
Payment can be made through:
- 💳 Bank credit card
- 💳 Bank debit card with Internet Transaction facility
- 🏦 Online Banking / Flex App of Bank of Ceylon
- 🏦 Any branch of Bank of Ceylon
Applicants will receive an SMS or email confirming receipt of payment. The full examination fee must be paid; applications with an incorrect payment amount will be rejected.
⚠️ The examination fee will not be refunded or transferred to another examination.
🪪 Identification Documents
Candidates must prove their identity at the examination hall.
The following documents are accepted:
- 🪪 National Identity Card
- 🛂 Valid Passport
- 🚗 Valid Sri Lankan Driving Licence
Candidates must also remain with their face and ears uncovered during the examination process so their identity can be verified and to ensure that electronic communication devices are not being used.
📊 Results
Candidates who meet the required qualifications will be referred for the eligibility assessment interview.
The final merit order will be based on the aggregate marks obtained in the written examination and interview.
Results may be communicated personally to candidates or published on the Department of Examinations results website according to the directions of the Public Service Commission.
⚠️ Important Notice for Applicants
Candidates should carefully verify all information entered in the application.
If information provided is found to be false or incorrect before recruitment, the candidature may be cancelled. If such information is discovered after recruitment, the candidate may be dismissed from the service according to the applicable rules and regulations.
📌 Quick Summary
✅ Post: Grade III – Sri Lanka Foreign Service
✅ Vacancies: 25
✅ Qualification: Degree meeting the Gazette requirements
✅ Age: 22–under 28 for general applicants
✅ Public Service applicants: Under 35, subject to conditions
✅ Salary: Rs. 82,150 – Rs. 195,970
✅ Written Papers: 7
✅ Minimum aggregate for interview: 300 marks
✅ Interview: 100 marks
✅ Examination Fee: Rs. 1,200
✅ Application Opens: 07 September 2026 – 9.00 a.m.
✅ Application Closes: 06 October 2026 – 9.00 p.m.
✅ Examination: November 2026
✅ Examination Location: Colombo
📥 Download the Official Gazette
Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete official Gazette notification and carefully check all eligibility requirements, application instructions, examination rules and other conditions before applying.
📄 Official Gazette: Open Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service – 2026
🎯 Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be particularly suitable for graduates who are interested in:
🌍 International relations
🇱🇰 Foreign affairs
🤝 Diplomacy
🌐 International organizations
📈 Global economic affairs
🕊️ International peace and security
🗣️ Languages and communication
If you meet the prescribed qualifications and age requirements, make sure to submit your online application before the deadline.
⏰ Don’t Miss the Deadline!
Applications close on 06 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
Always refer to the official Gazette notification for the complete and legally applicable requirements before submitting your application.
📢 Gazette Advertisement – English Preview
Source – Gazette (2026.09.04)
