The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. The Adjournment Motion by Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi is timely. After 2016, Development Officers should be brought into a proper structure; I wish to add a few points.

¶ 02 In Sri Lanka, apart from medicine, engineering, and law, graduates in commerce, arts, and science leave university only to confront the question: “Do you have a Government job?” In 2016, to manage pressures, the Government created the Development Officer post for graduates, but, as Hon. Nizam Kariapper noted, there was no job description, standards, scheme, or promotion path—unlike doctors who can do postgraduate studies or lawyers who can pursue LLMs.

¶ 03 From 2019 to 2024, many DOs remain in the same limbo; some have taught as teachers for over five years despite being DOs—losing the confidence that drew them into public service. Similarly, around 10,000 indigenous medical graduates are uncertain about their future; they too are sometimes made DOs and even sent to teach in primary schools. An Ayurveda graduate cannot teach A/L biology, chemistry, or physics due to qualification mismatches, yet they are made to do so in some places; conversely, they are not recognized under proper A/L bio teacher criteria. This inconsistency is worrying.

¶ 04 Recently, DOs staged hunger strikes. Between 2021–2024, only about 1,500 presidents of Pradeshiya Sabhas were given appointments; many who passed have not received appointments to date. Library Assistant vacancies in districts like Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna have remained unfilled for over a decade. In Trincomalee and Batticaloa, some semi-government officers continue in post beyond retirement ages—up to 70–75—blocking progression.

¶ 05 Moreover, DOs lack a proper increment and probation/promotion regime like in health service, where after three years and E-code exams one secures permanency. Many DOs queue for petrol on bikes with backpacks after teaching until late, despite being appointed as DOs. The Government must bring not just verbal assurances but legal frameworks to Parliament for DOs and also for indigenous medical graduates. With Provincial Councils revived, some issues can be addressed within devolved limits; we expect Provincial Council elections soon. I thank Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi for this Motion.