In accordance with Section 38 of the Manpower Mobilization and Auxiliary Force Act (ActNo10 of 1985) His Excellency the President appoints a military experienced intellectual from Sri Lanka Army as the Director NCC. The Director is responsible for the administration, training , discipline, and efficiency of the Corps. He is also responsible to the Minister of Defence for the command and control of the NCC and has the authority to make regulations in accordance with the aforesaid Act.

The First Director of the National Cadet Corps appointed as such was Major General  ED Thevanayagam VSV. Then Brigadier Justus B Rodrigo VSV took over in 1991. After his tenure Major General TN De Silva USP was appointed in 1994.He relinquished his duties in 1999 and the next Director Brigadier GSM Ranathunga USP was appointed in 2000. He served till 2002 and Major General WR Wijerathne USP took over as the Director . He served for 2years and left in 2004 .Brigadier DHMRB Thammita RSP Ldmc was the next Director to be head of the NCC. In the year 2005 the present Director Major General GBW Jayasundara RWP RSP was appointed by His Excellency the President to command this prestigious institution.