🏛️ SLAS Grade III Recruitment under Merit Stream 2026 – 10 Vacancies | Sri Lanka Administrative Service
📢 Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service under the Merit Stream – 2026
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has announced the Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) under the Merit Stream – 2026.
Applications are invited from qualified Sri Lankan citizens for 10 vacancies in Grade III of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. The recruitment will be based on the results of the written examination, seniority and structured interview.
📌 SLAS Grade III Recruitment 2026 – Quick Details
| 📋 Details | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Service | Sri Lanka Administrative Service |
| 🎯 Grade | Grade III |
| 📌 Recruitment Stream | Merit Stream |
| 👥 Number of Vacancies | 10 Posts |
| 📝 Examination | Competitive Examination |
| 📅 Examination Month | November 2026 |
| 📍 Examination Centre | Colombo only |
| 💰 Examination Fee | Rs. 1,200.00 |
| 💵 Salary Scale | Rs. 82,150 – 195,970 |
| 🌐 Application Method | Online |
| 🟢 Applications Open | 14 August 2026 – 9.00 a.m. |
| 🔴 Applications Close | 14 September 2026 – 9.00 p.m. |
| 🏢 Issuing Authority | Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government |
The examination is scheduled to be held in November 2026 in Colombo only, although the Secretary reserves the right to postpone or cancel the examination subject to the instructions of the Public Service Commission.
🎯 Method of Recruitment
Recruitment to the available Grade III positions will be determined according to the merit order of applicants.
The selection process considers:
✅ Written Examination
✅ Seniority
✅ General Interview
✅ Structured Interview
The number of appointments and the effective date of appointment will be determined according to the order of the Public Service Commission.
🎓 Qualifications for SLAS Grade III Recruitment 2026
Applicants must satisfy the relevant service and experience requirements.
👨💼 Relevant Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should meet one of the following requirements:
Option 1️⃣
Be an officer in a permanent and pensionable post in the Supra Class of the Management Service Officers’ Service or Provincial Management Service Officers’ Service.
OR
Option 2️⃣
Be an officer with an active and satisfactory service period of at least 20 years in the Management Service Officers’ Service or Provincial Management Service Officers’ Service, including at least 10 years in Grade I of the relevant service.
🎂 Age and Other Requirements
Applicants:
🔹 Should not be more than 55 years of age.
🔹 Should have been confirmed in the relevant service/post.
🔹 Should have a satisfactory service record.
🔹 Should not have been subjected to disciplinary punishment during their entire period of service, subject to the relevant Public Service Commission provisions.
🔹 Should have earned all salary increments during the immediately preceding five years as at the date on which the qualifications should be completed.
⚠️ Important Eligibility Restrictions
❌ A candidate cannot sit the Competitive Examination for Recruitment on Merit Basis more than three times.
❌ All required qualifications must have been completed as at 10 August 2026.
❌ Persons ordained in any religious order are not eligible.
❌ Officers who have retired from service before the application closing date are not eligible to apply.
📝 SLAS Grade III Competitive Examination 2026
The written examination consists of three question papers.
| 📝 Subject | ⏱️ Duration | 💯 Marks | ✅ Pass Mark |
| 🧠 General Intelligence | 1½ hours | 100 | 50 |
| 📚 Establishments Code & Procedural Rules of the Public Service Commission | 3 hours | 100 | 50 |
| 💰 Government Financial Regulations & Procurement Process | 3 hours | 100 | 50 |
Candidates are required to sit for all three question papers and obtain at least 50 marks in each subject.
🧠 1. General Intelligence
This paper is designed to assess:
🔹 Analytical skills
🔹 Logical comprehension
🔹 Interpretative ability
🔹 Application of knowledge to other situations
🔹 Ability to arrive at conclusions
Questions will relate to numerical, linguistic and figurative structures and their interrelationships.
📌 The paper consists of multiple-choice questions, and all questions must be answered.
📚 2. Establishments Code & Procedural Rules
This paper assesses candidates’ knowledge of the Establishments Code and Procedural Rules of the Public Service Commission.
The paper includes:
✅ Multiple-choice questions
✅ Short-answer questions
✅ Structured essay questions
✅ Essay questions
All questions must be answered.
💰 3. Government Financial Regulations & Procurement Process
This paper assesses knowledge of:
🔹 Government Financial Regulations
🔹 Public procurement process
The examination includes multiple-choice, short-answer, structured essay and essay-type questions.
⭐ Seniority Marks
A maximum of 100 marks will be awarded for seniority.
For officers in the Supra Class of the Management Service Officers’ Service, 10 marks are awarded for each year served in a post in the Supra Class.
For officers in Class I, 8 marks are awarded for each year after completing an active period of 20 years in the Management Service Officers’ Service, subject to the conditions specified in the circular.
Periods of less than six months will not receive seniority marks. Specific provisions apply to periods exceeding six months but less than one year.
📂 Documents Required for Seniority Calculation
Candidates who obtain 50 marks or above in all three written subjects may be required to submit certified copies of relevant documents, including:
📄 First appointment letter and assumption-of-duty letter
📄 Promotion letters
📄 Supra Class assumption-of-duty letter
📄 Relevant release particulars
📄 Relevant absorption letter
📄 Disciplinary order particulars
📄 Service confirmation letter
📄 Certified copy of the application included in the personal file
📄 Letter of confirmation of service
🎤 Interview Process
The interview consists of two parts:
1️⃣ General Interview
The General Interview is conducted to verify whether candidates satisfy the required qualifications for recruitment.
The General Interview Board is appointed by the Public Service Commission. No marks are allocated at the General Interview.
2️⃣ Structured Interview
The Structured Interview assesses:
| 🎯 Area | Maximum Marks |
| 👔 Management Skills | 10 |
| 🏆 Leadership Qualities | 5 |
| 🗣️ Communication Skills | 5 |
| 👤 Personality | 5 |
| Total | 25 |
The structured interview is conducted by an interview board appointed by the Public Service Commission.
Candidates are selected for the interview based on the aggregate of written examination and seniority marks, subject to obtaining at least 50% in each written subject and satisfying the other requirements specified in the circular.
💰 SLAS Grade III Salary 2026
The monthly salary scale applicable to this post is:
💵 Rs. 82,150 – 10 × Rs. 2,400 – 8 × Rs. 2,940 – 17 × Rs. 3,900 – Rs. 195,970
Salary Code: SL-1-2025
In addition to the basic salary scale, selected officers will be entitled to other allowances paid to public officers by the Government from time to time.
🏛️ Conditions of Service
The selected candidates will be appointed to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service subject to the applicable public service conditions and the relevant provisions of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Minute, Establishments Code, Financial Regulations and Public Service Commission Procedural Rules.
📌 Important Conditions
🔹 The post is permanent and pensionable.
🔹 Candidates must contribute to the Widows’/Widowers’ and Orphans’ Pension Scheme.
🔹 The appointment is subject to a one-year probation period.
🔹 Candidates must pass the first efficiency bar examination within three years from the date of appointment.
🔹 Appointees must acquire proficiency in the prescribed other official language/languages according to the relevant Public Administration Circular.
💳 Examination Fee
The examination fee is:
💰 Rs. 1,200.00
The payment must be made through one of the payment methods provided in the online application system:
💳 Any bank credit card
💳 Any bank debit card with internet payment facility
🏦 Bank of Ceylon online banking
🏦 Bank of Ceylon teller slip payment
The full examination fee must be paid. Applications for which the payment is less or more than the prescribed examination fee will be rejected.
🌐 How to Apply Online
Applications must be submitted strictly online through the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka online application system under:
Our Services → Online Applications → Recruitment Exams / E.B. Exams
📅 Application Period
🟢 Opening Date: 14 August 2026 at 9.00 a.m.
🔴 Closing Date: 14 September 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
Applicants should download and carefully read the instructions sheet before completing the online application.
⚠️ Important Application Instructions
Candidates should:
✅ Complete the application in every aspect.
✅ Follow the online application instructions carefully.
✅ Keep a copy of the completed application.
✅ Hand over a copy of the application to the Head of the Institution for inclusion in the personal file.
✅ Ensure the relevant official certification and date stamp are properly completed.
Incomplete applications will be rejected without notice.
🎫 Admission Cards
Admission cards will be issued strictly online to eligible applicants who have:
✔️ Paid the required examination fee
✔️ Properly completed the application
✔️ Submitted the application before the closing date
Applicants will be notified through SMS or a web notice when admission cards are issued.
🪪 Documents Accepted for Identity Verification
Candidates must prove their identity at the examination hall.
The following documents are accepted:
🪪 National Identity Card
🌍 Valid Passport
🚗 Valid Driving Licence
Candidates must keep their face and ears uncovered for identity verification and electronic-device checks while entering and remaining in the examination hall.
🌐 Examination Medium
The examination will be conducted in:
Sinhala
Tamil
English
Candidates must answer all question papers in one language medium. The examination medium selected in the application cannot subsequently be changed.
⚠️ Important Notice for Applicants
Providing false information or deliberately suppressing material information can result in cancellation of candidature. A person found to have knowingly provided false information may also be liable for dismissal from the Public Service.
Also, receiving an admission card or participating in an interview does not necessarily mean that the candidate has fulfilled all the required qualifications for appointment.
Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete official Public Administration Circular 17/2026 and follow all instructions before submitting an application.
The application is available through the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka online application system under Our Services → Online Applications → Recruitment Exams / E.B. Exams.
📄 Official Circular: Public Administration Circular 17/2026
📅 Date: 10 August 2026
🏛️ Issued by: Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government
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📢 Share this vacancy with eligible Management Service Officers and other public officers who may be interested in this opportunity.
⚠️ Important: This article is prepared based on Public Administration Circular No. 17/2026. Applicants should refer to the official notification and instructions issued by the relevant authorities before applying.
