• Aims to attract candidates with practical knowledge, skills, and the right personality traits needed to effectively serve the country and meet the demands of the service

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations has proposed essential changes to the recruitment process of the Foreign Service, aiming to attract candidates with practical knowledge, skills, and the right personality traits needed to effectively serve the country and meet the demands of the service.   

Officials present at the Committee said that although a significant number of candidates qualified for the interview based on academic qualifications by scoring high marks in the Foreign Service recruitment examination, practical knowledge, skills, and personality required to meet the needs of the country and the service were not reflected throughout the interviews.   

This was discussed when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations met in Parliament recently (05) under the Chairmanship of MP Namal Rajapaksa.   

Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that a significant number of marks are based on the recruitment exam and academic qualifications, so even if the candidates do not have the practical knowledge, skills, and personality to meet the requirements of the service, they will be admitted to the service based on the marks obtained.   

Furthermore, it was discussed in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations that the country used to look at the Sri Lankan Diaspora from a negative stand point and that should be changed.