The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation

¶ 01 Answer:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes.

¶ 03 (ii) At present, officers of the Sri Lanka Technological Service and departmental technical cadres are serving in Sri Lanka Railways.

¶ 04 - Number of officers in Sri Lanka Technological Service: 24 - Number of departmental technical officers: 4,425

¶ 05 (iii) - Vacancies in Sri Lanka Technological Service posts: 35 - Vacancies in departmental technical cadres: 3,644

¶ 06 (iv) Measures to fill vacancies:

¶ 07 Sri Lanka Technological Service: - Seven Special Grade vacancies for Research Assistant and Planning Engineer exist; however, due to the non-availability of qualified Grade I officers, filling is not possible at present. - An examination has been held to fill five vacancies in Research Assistant Grade II; appointments are to be made shortly. - On 21.05.2025, limited and open recruitment for 23 vacancies in Planning Engineer Grade III was sought from the Officials’ Committee appointed by Cabinet to review public service recruitment and manage human resources.

¶ 08 Departmental technical cadres (vacancies 3,644): - With the approval of the said Officials’ Committee, examinations for 1,191 posts have been conducted and completed, as follows: - Train Controller: 136 - Locomotive Driver: 192 - Supervisory Manager: 169 - Technical Management Assistant (Mechanical/Electrical): 310 - Basic Technical Officer: 384 - Total: 1,191

¶ 09 - With Committee approval, applications have been called and examinations are to be held for 206 posts: - Station Master: 106 - Assistant Locomotive Driver: 100 - Total: 206

¶ 10 - A further 2,150 posts have been referred for Committee approval: - Train Controller: 59 - Locomotive Driver: 06 - Supervisory Manager: 71 - Station Master: [number included in total] - Technical Management Assistant (Mechanical/Electrical): [included] - Basic Technical Officer: [included] - Shunting Locomotive Driver: [included] - Assistant Locomotive Driver: [included] - Total: 2,150

¶ 11 - Additionally, interviews have been held to fill Special Grade vacancies in departmental technical posts.

¶ 12 (b) Not applicable.

¶ 13 Current progress highlights (selected): - Station Masters (106): ~12,000 applications received; exam scheduled nationwide on 28.09.2025. - Train Controllers (136): Exam held 15.06.2025; DEX Department to release results on 22.08.2025; interviews scheduled 02-04.09.2025; appointments targeted by 15.09.2025. - Locomotive Drivers (192): Open exam held 05.07.2025; script marking in progress; results expected early September. - Supervisory Managers (Running Sheds/Workshops/Buildings/Bridges/Permanent Way/Signals & Telecom): Exams held June–August; results/releases and interviews scheduled late August–early September; appointment letters targeted for 10.09.2025. - Technical Management Assistants (Mechanical/Electrical) and Basic Technical Officers: Exams conducted/being scheduled; interviews aligned late Aug–early Sept; appointment letters aimed for 10.09.2025.