ABOUT THE OPS AIR OFFICER
Upon qualification, an Ops Air Officer serves in a dual role as both an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and a Fighter Controller (FC), subject to the nature of their posting. Air Traffic Control Officers are responsible for facilitating SLAF aircraft operations through the provision of Air Traffic Services, ensuring safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic. In contrast, a Fighter Controller is responsible for monitoring national airspace to safeguard against intrusions and for providing guidance to interceptor aircraft in order to identify and intercept hostile or unidentified aircraft.
Duties and responsibilities.
(1) Air Traffic Controller
- Provide Air Traffic Services to ensure safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.
- Issue clearances, instructions, and information to pilots during all phases of flight.
- Monitor aircraft movements continuously within the assigned airspace.
- Coordinate with AFHQ, adjacent ATC units, and flying squadrons for air traffic management.
- Manage aircraft sequencing, separation, and prioritization, including during emergencies.
- Activate and support alerting services and emergency response procedures when required.
- Monitoring weather and dissemination weather information to the Aircraft.
- Maintain accurate operational logs and records.
(2) Fighter Controller
- Conduct continuous surveillance of national airspace using radar and associated systems.
- Detect, identify, and classify all aircraft within assigned areas of responsibility.
- Provide real-time control and guidance to interceptor aircraft for identification and interception missions.
- Coordinate with Air Defence units and higher command on potential air threats.
- Execute Air Defence procedures in accordance with established rules and operational directives.
- Maintain situational awareness and support rapid decision-making in time-critical scenarios.
- Record and report Air Defence activities and incidents
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
| Nationality |
Must be a citizen of Sri Lanka |
| Age |
Not less than 18 years
and not more than 22 years as at 01 August 2026.
|
| Civil Status |
Unmarried |
| Height |
Male: 165 cm
Female: 160 cm |
| Weight / BMI |
Male: 17 < BMI < 25
Female: 17 < BMI < 26 |
| Chest (Male) |
32 inches |
| Color Vision |
CP2 |
| Visual Acuity |
Left eye 6/6 and Right eye 6/6 (Without spectacles / Contact Lenses) |
GCE O/L REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of six Credit (C) passes at the GCE (O/L) examination with compulsory Credit (C) passes for English language, Science, Mathematics and a Simple (S) pass and above for Sinhala / Tamil language in one sitting.
Pearson Edexcel International General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or Cambridge International Ordinary Level Examinations: Six grades in one sitting are compulsory including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and English. The marks obtained for the grading is to be (equal or above) the lowest marks required for a credit pass in GCE O/Ls. Candidates who are applying with Pearson Edexcel International General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and Cambridge International Ordinary Level exams without a Simple pass for Sinhala or Tamil language should obtain pass grading for Sinhala or Tamil language within 05 years of date of enlistment.
GCE A/L REQUIREMENTS
Simple (S) passes in three subjects at the GCE (A/L) examination in Physical Science stream/ Bio Science stream (Physics is a compulsory subject) or Technology Stream (Science for technology is a compulsory subject) in one sitting.
For Pearson Edexcel /Cambridge – International Advanced Level Examinations: Must have obtained the minimum marks (Equal or above) which are required to obtain passes in GCE A/Ls specified separately for respective branches.