⚖️ Legal Officer Recruitment – Merchant Shipping Secretariat 2026
The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has announced applications for the post of Legal Officer at the Merchant Shipping Secretariat. Applications are invited from eligible Sri Lankan citizens who meet the qualifications specified in the Gazette notification.
📢 Post: Legal Officer
🏢 Institution: Merchant Shipping Secretariat
🏛️ Ministry: Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation
👤 Number of Vacancies: 01
📅 Closing Date: 12 October 2026
📌 Legal Officer Vacancy 2026
The recruitment will be made on a permanent basis. Candidates who satisfy the required qualifications and obtain the highest marks at the structured interview conducted by a board appointed by the Public Service Commission will be selected.
🎓 Educational & Professional Qualifications
Applicants for the Legal Officer position must:
- ⚖️ Have been sworn in as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court.
- 👨⚖️ Have at least 3 years of active professional experience after being sworn in as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court.
👤 Other Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must also satisfy the following requirements:
- 🇱🇰 Must be a citizen of Sri Lanka.
- 💼 Must be of excellent character.
- 💪 Must be physically and mentally fit to serve in any part of Sri Lanka and perform the duties assigned to the post.
- 🎂 Age must be not less than 21 years and not more than 45 years.
- 📅 All required qualifications must have been fulfilled on or before the closing date of applications.
💰 Salary Scale
The applicable salary scale mentioned in the Gazette is:
SL 1-2025: Rs. 82,150 – 10 × Rs. 2,400 – 8 × Rs. 2,940 – 17 × Rs. 3,900 – Rs. 195,970.
📝 Structured Interview – Marking Scheme
The selection process includes a structured interview. A maximum of 100 marks is allocated across several areas.
🎓 1. Additional Educational Qualifications – 25 Marks
Marks may be awarded for:
- Postgraduate Degree in Law
- Bachelor of Laws Degree
- Other Postgraduate Degrees
- Other Degrees
- Higher Diplomas, Diplomas and Courses
For certain qualifications, the Gazette specifies that certificates must be issued by a university or degree-awarding institution recognized by the University Grants Commission.
👨⚖️ 2. Additional Professional Experience – 35 Marks
Additional marks may be awarded for professional experience exceeding the period required for the basic qualifications, including:
- ⚖️ Professional experience as an Attorney-at-Law
- 📝 Professional experience as a Notary Public
- 🏛️ Appearances in Supreme Court cases
- 🏛️ Appearances in Court of Appeal cases
- ⚖️ Appearances in High Court cases
- ⚖️ Appearances in District Court cases
The relevant qualifications must be supported by acceptable documentation.
🌐 3. Language Proficiency – 15 Marks
Marks are available for proficiency in:
Other National Language
- Diploma
- Advanced Certificate
- Certificate
- G.C.E. Advanced Level
- G.C.E. Ordinary Level
English Language
- Diploma
- Advanced Certificate
- Certificate
- G.C.E. Advanced Level
Only the highest qualification in each language will be considered for marks.
💻 4. Information Technology Knowledge – 10 Marks
Marks are allocated for IT qualifications, including:
- 🎓 IT as a major subject for a degree from a UGC-recognized university
- 💻 Diploma in Information Technology of at least 6 months from a government-recognized institution
- 🖥️ Certificate courses in Information Technology from a government-recognized institution
The Gazette specifies different marks according to the qualification/course completed.
⭐ 5. Skills Demonstrated at the Interview – 15 Marks
A further 15 marks are allocated for skills demonstrated during the structured interview.
Total: 100 Marks.
🪪 Documents Required at the Interview
Only candidates whose applications are complete in every respect will be called for the structured interview.
Applicants must produce:
- 📜 Original copies of all relevant certificates
- 📑 Properly certified photocopies
- 🪪 Valid National Identity Card or
- 🌍 Valid Passport
These documents will be used to establish the identity and qualifications of candidates at the interview.
📮 How to Apply
Applications must be sent by registered post so that they reach the following address on or before 12 October 2026:
Director General of Merchant Shipping
Merchant Shipping Secretariat
No. 79, Technical Junction
Maradana Road
Colombo 10
Sri Lanka
Applications received after the closing date will be rejected.
✍️ Important Application Instructions
Applicants should carefully follow these instructions:
- 📄 Use the specimen application form provided with the Gazette notice.
- 📐 Prepare the application on A4-size paper.
- ✍️ Complete the application in the applicant’s own handwriting.
- 📑 Page 01 should contain items 01–09.
- 📑 Page 02 should contain items 10–15.
- ✉️ Clearly write “Application for the Post of Legal Officer” on the top-left corner of the envelope.
- 🖊️ The applicant’s signature must be properly attested by an authorized person listed in the Gazette.
- 🏢 Public Service or Provincial Public Service employees should submit their applications through their Head of Department.
- ⚠️ Applications that do not conform to the specimen application form may be rejected.
📋 Specimen Application Form
The Gazette includes a specimen application form covering details such as:
- 👤 Applicant’s name
- 📍 Address and telephone numbers
- 🎂 Date of birth and age
- 🪪 National Identity Card number
- 👨💼 Gender and marital status
- 🎓 Educational qualifications
- ⚖️ Professional qualifications
- 💼 Employment experience
- 💻 Computer literacy
- ⚖️ Court conviction information
- ✍️ Applicant’s declaration and signature
- 🖊️ Attestation of signature
- 🏢 Recommendation of the Head of Department for applicants in public service.
⚠️ Important Notice for Applicants
Applicants should ensure that all information provided in the application is accurate and complete. If information is found to be false or incorrect before recruitment, the candidature may be cancelled. If such information is discovered after recruitment, action may be taken to dismiss the person from service according to the relevant procedures.
The power to fill or not fill the vacancy is vested with the Public Service Commission.
📅 Important Details at a Glance
| 📌 Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Legal Officer |
| Institution | Merchant Shipping Secretariat |
| Ministry | Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation |
| Vacancies | 01 |
| Employment | Permanent |
| Required Professional Qualification | Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court |
| Minimum Experience | 3 years active professional experience |
| Age Limit | 21–45 years |
| Salary Scale | SL 1-2025 |
| Closing Date | 12 October 2026 |
| Application Method | Registered Post |
| Selection Method | Structured Interview |
📢 Final Reminder
If you are interested in applying for the Legal Officer vacancy at the Merchant Shipping Secretariat, carefully read the complete Gazette notification and make sure that you meet all eligibility requirements before submitting your application.
⏰ Application Closing Date: 12 October 2026
📌 Applicants are strongly advised to follow the prescribed application format and ensure that the application reaches the specified address before the deadline.
Source: Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – Part I: Section (IIA), dated 11 September 2026.
📢 Gazette Advertisement – Sinhala Preview
📢 Gazette Advertisement – English Preview
Source – Gazette (2026.09.11)
