Feb 27, Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities have called on more principals for interviews to confer army ranks to them.

The Sri Lanka Cadet Corps has called on nearly 4,000 school principals for interviews at the Cadet Corps headquarters to confer army ranks to them. The principals are to be conferred titles, lieutenant, major or captain.

The letters sent to the principals have asked for those from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service and those in Grade I or II of the principals' service.

The principals have been asked to visit the Cadet Corps headquarters on the 4th, 5th and 6th of this month.

The move has been criticized by education sector trade unions as a move by the government to militarize the country's education system.

New entrants to universities already have to undergo a leadership training programme conducted by the Army.