The first batch of ten Officer Cadets were enlisted to the Army on the 10 October 1949 and were dispatched to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Ceylon Army continued to send its Officer Cadets to RMA Sandhurst in the 1950s decade.

In 1999, the regular long course was elevated to the standards of bachelor's degree in military studies which was awarded by the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

[7] SLMA started academic programs for mid-career Officers in basic command and staff techniques at the level of Grade III/II appointments, (Officers in the ranks of Lieutenant / Captain / Major), with the establishment the Officers Study Centre (OSC) in 1981 which conducted the Junior Command Course (JCC) and the Junior Staff Course (JSC).

In 2012, these programs of the OSC were transferred to the newly established Officer Career Development Centre.

There can be as many as several companies within the SLMA at any one time, each commanded by a Major and named after a famous battle in Sri Lankan history.

During this period, cadets are trained in leadership, tactics, weapons training, military law, military accounting systems and academic studies such as General Science, Management, and General Studies.

Completion of research work is a partial fulfillment for the Degree other than the Military and Academic Components.

It is accredited to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University for the award of the Bachelor of Science in Military studies degree on successful completion of the program.

The Military Training Wing of the SLMA conducts the Drill Instructor Course for Non commissioned officers.