English Summary

This circular explains how the English link-language proficiency requirement in the Sri Lanka Principals' Service Minute applies to officers, including the available exemptions and the consequences of not completing the requirement on time.

• Under Section 9.1 of the Service Minute, an officer must obtain proficiency in English, the link language, within three years from the date of recruitment.
• An officer who has obtained at least a Credit Pass in English Language at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination, or who has fulfilled the other recognized qualifications, may be exempted from the English language test.
• Other officers must pass the English Language Test for the Sri Lanka Principals' Service specified in Schedule D of the Service Minute.
• Officers absorbed under the interim provisions referred to in the Second Amendment to the Service Minute are exempted from the link-language proficiency requirement.
• An eligible officer absorbed under the new Service Minute who has completed every other requirement may be considered for grade promotion even when the link-language requirement remains outstanding, subject to the circular's provisions.
• If a newly recruited officer does not complete the requirement within three years, annual salary increments from the third increment may be temporarily suspended until the qualification is completed.
• Where salary increments have already been suspended and the qualification is not completed by the due promotion date, the promotion may be delayed by a period equal to the elapsed delay.