2020
Foundation
The Sri Lanka Professional Principals' Association was established to identify the ongoing challenges faced by officers in the Sri Lanka Principals' Service and to develop an effective mechanism to address and resolve them.
The appointment anniversary of the principals appointed in the year 2019 was celebrated in October 2020 in Kottawa. The event was held under the patronage of the State Minister of Education, with the participation of over one hundred principals.
2021
Strengthening the Association
Strengthening the association: The association grew stronger in its mission to win and secure the rights of principals.
Joining the main alliance: Joined forces with the Teachers Principals' Trade Union Alliance, the leading trade union alliance in the country.
Change in leadership: Mrs. Thushari Dissanayake, who played a pioneering role in founding the association, resigned from her post, and Mrs. Bhagya Samaranayake was appointed as the new Secretary.
Proposing a new salary structure: The association proposed a new salary system and formed a new powerful coalition by gathering all principals' associations in Sri Lanka at Hewaheta College, Kandy.
Leading the salary restructuring proposal : Led the salary struggle from the front and submitted an alternative salary proposal specifically for the Principals' Service to the ministerial sub-committee appointed by the government.
Professional development programs: Launched Efficiency Bar (EB)
Examinations to facilitate the career advancement of members.
2022
Key Achievements and Interventions
Salary Increase: Secured a salary hike effective from January 01, 2022.
Infrastructure Development: Facilitated improvements in school facilities and infrastructure.
Crisis Management: Advised the government on maintaining school operations during fuel and transport shortages.
Examination Solutions: Proposed strategic solutions to resolve national examination disruptions.
Nutrition Program: Negotiated government funding for the school nutrition program. Advocated successfully to increase the number of student beneficiaries receiving meals.
Membership Growth: Expanded total membership to exceed 2,000 individuals.
2023
Leadership and Professional Development
Launched more organized support programs for Efficiency Bar Exams and English Language Exams with senior resource persons, to accelerate the professional development of Principals and help them fulfill professional qualifications.
Ms. Bhagya Samaranayake, who rendered valuable service to the union for a long period and is a founder member of the Association, stepped down from the Secretary post. Mr. Tharaka Wanaguru, an active Principal leader, was appointed as the General Secretary of the Association to fill the vacancy.
Took trade union action to win the rights of obtaining the Principal’s Allowance and Telephone Allowance, and to formalize Principal transfers.
Submitted effective proposals to the Nanayakkara Committee appointed to resolve issues in the Principal Service.
2024
Advocacy and Member Welfare
Intervened in the placement of newly recruited Principals who were recruited in 2023.
Continuously conducted a support program for Principals’ Efficiency Bar Exams and English Language Exams.
Worked to have salary set by considering entry from Teacher Service to Principal Service as a promotion, and to get the salary increase of 2022.01.01 increased by considering it as if the officer was in Teacher Service.
Took action to implement the good recommendations in the Nanayakkara Committee Report appointed to solve problems in the Principal Service.
Pushed to hold the Limited Recruitment Exam for the Education Administrative Service and took action to get the results released promptly.
Reminded the Ministry of Education to conduct APP and BPP courses for graded Principals.
Intervened in National School transfers.
Participated and presented proposals at the meeting of Provincial Directors of Education, Chief Secretaries, and Secretaries of Education held at NIE Maharagama.
Requested payment from the Ministry of Education for the courses being followed by Principals based on service requirements.
Gave evidence to the Presidential Salary Anomalies Resolution Committee and informed the Secretary of Education about the shortcomings in the commission’s recommendations and took action.
Led the decisive Teacher-Principal protest on June 26.
Held discussions with the Secretary of Education regarding issues.
Took action to obtain SPO posts for graded Principals in election duties.
Introduced a Membership Identity Card for Principals by the Union.
2025
New Leadership and Education Reforms
A new Executive Committee of the Association was appointed for 2025.
Submitted a new proposal to the government regarding existing issues in the Principal Service, including salary anomalies, and held discussions with the Prime Minister and other relevant parties.
Continued the support programs for Efficiency Bar Exams and English Language Exams.
Continuously voiced concerns on common issues in the education sector.
Organized Provincial Principals’ Forums to resolve issues faced by Principals.
Intervened in Principal transfers.
Held the Annual General Meeting at Maharagama with the participation of many trade union leaders and approximately 500 SLPPA members.
Took a leading role in bringing amendments to the proposed new education reforms for Grades 1 and 6 to be implemented in 2026, by pointing out the issues faced by school Principals, students, and parents, and the shortcomings of the Ministry of Education.
Advocated for and ensured the provision of resources to schools for the education reforms for Grades 1–6, including equipment, computer facilities, telephone and data facilities.
Continued efforts to resolve the Principals’ salary anomaly issue and allowance issues.
Pressured the government to recruit new graded Principals through competitive exams.
![Mr. [Member 1]](https://slppa.lk/assets/images/instructor/05.jpg)
