Language Proficiency (Sinhala, Tamil and English)
The Language Proficiency paper tests comprehension, grammar, translation and formal writing in Sinhala, Tamil and English. It also tests awareness of Sri Lanka's official-language framework, because administrators must serve citizens in the language they are entitled to use.
Core framework
- The Constitution, as amended by the 13th Amendment, provides that Sinhala and Tamil are official languages; English is the link language.
- The Official Languages Commission promotes compliance and handles language-related complaints.
- Administrative writing demands a formal register: circulars, minutes, Cabinet memoranda, letters and précis.
- Translation must preserve legal effect, not word order; use the standard administrative glossary.
Worked example
English grammar: 'The number of applications have increased.' Reasoning: the subject is 'the number', singular, so the verb is 'has'. 'A number of applications' would take 'have'. Correct: 'The number of applications has increased.' In translation, the same care applies to number, tense, and honorifics.
Traps
- Literal translation of idioms and official titles.
- Mixing spoken and written registers in Sinhala or Tamil.
- Changing the meaning of 'shall', 'may' and 'within' when translating legal text.
- Ignoring the recipient's language rights in notices and public documents.
- Writing long sentences that obscure who must act and by when.