The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya — Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, in response to the Question raised under Standing Order 27(2) by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna on 11.07.2025, I state as follows:

¶ 02 1. Based on Cabinet decisions dated 05.02.2020 and 19.02.2020 relating to unemployed graduates (under 45 years) who had obtained degrees from a UGC-recognized university before 31.12.2019, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government assigned graduate trainees to Divisional Secretariats through District Secretaries as follows: 49,486 trainees effective from 02.09.2020; 7,885 from 01.02.2021; and 783 from 26.03.2021, for training. The numbers reported for training by district are annexed.

¶ 03 Annex tabled.

¶ 04 Accordingly, based on Cabinet Decision No. MPS/21/1639/315/033 dated 13.09.2021, the Service Minute of the Development Officers’ Service and approvals of the Public Service Commission, those who fulfilled all qualifications among the 02.09.2020 intake were given appointments effective 03.01.2022, and those of the 01.02.2021 and 26.03.2021 intakes were given appointments effective 02.04.2022 to the Development Officers’ Service.

¶ 05 Hon. Speaker, the question relates to action said to have taken place in 2014. We requested information from the Ministry of Public Administration, as these are not within the Ministry of Education. We have not yet received them. The Ministry of Public Administration too indicates they do not have the relevant information.

¶ 06 From the 2014 A/L intakes to the University of Jaffna (including Vavuniya), Eastern University (including Trincomalee) and the South Eastern University, about 71% had completed degrees by end of 2020. Those who fulfilled recruitment criteria had been entitled to apply for Development Officer posts. However, such appointments had not been given.

¶ 07 As per data presented by the Provincial Director of Education as at 30.06.2025, there are 404 teacher vacancies. Under the Teachers’ Service Minute, vacancies are filled via Colleges of Education or by graduates selected through open competitive examinations. Any other request requires a policy decision.

¶ 08 The Northern Province has taken steps as follows:

¶ 09 i. With the Governor’s approval, the Public Service Commission called for applications on 23.10.2023 for 195 vacancies; 121 qualified graduates were appointed effective 03.06.2024.

¶ 10 ii. Similarly, applications were called on 23.10.2023 for 371 vacancies; 253 qualified graduates were appointed effective 03.06.2024.

¶ 11 iii. Based on vacancies as at 31.12.2024, recruitment for 3,516 teacher vacancies was approved for 1,758 by the Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister to review public service recruitment procedures; however, in terms of Cabinet Decision Nos. 25/0961/802/004-V and dated 04.06.2025, these recruitments have been temporarily suspended.

¶ 12 iv. 215 National Diploma in Teaching holders were appointed effective 02.05.2025.

¶ 13 v. With the Governor’s approval, 6 and 13 graduates in Education from state universities who passed a common interview and practical exam were appointed effective 01.11.2023 and 15.07.2024 respectively.

¶ 14 Thus, recruitments have been made both at provincial level and under line Ministry referrals as above.