Director, Deputy Director, Technical Officer

The Sugarcane Research Institute (Uda Walawe), operating under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, invites applications from qualified citizens of Sri Lanka to fill multiple leadership, research, and technical vacancies.

Available Positions & Qualifications

1. Director/CEO (HM 2-3) – 01 Position

• Salary Scale: Rs. 173,000/- - 12 x 4,850/- - 231,200/- (Initial Salary Step paid amount Rs. 150,325/-)

• Age Limit: 40 to 50 years (Upper age limit does not apply to candidates from Government Departments, Corporations, Statutory Boards, and internal candidates).

• Key Qualifications (External): Four-year degree in Science or Agriculture with a class, a PhD in a relevant discipline, at least 20 years of research/managerial experience in a recognized organization (12 years after obtaining PhD), and proven leadership in managing multi-disciplinary research teams.

2. Deputy Director (Research & Technology Transfer) (HM 1-3) – 01 Position

• Salary Scale: Rs. 152,500/- - 15 x 4,100/- - 214,000/- (Initial Salary Step paid amount Rs. 133,028/-)

• Age Limit: 35 to 55 years (Upper age limit does not apply to internal candidates).

• Key Qualifications (External): Four-year degree in Science/Agriculture/Engineering with a class, a PhD in a relevant discipline, and at least 15 years of research and management experience (8 years after obtaining PhD).

3. Principal Research Officer (HM 1-3) – 05 Positions

• Subject Areas: Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Soil and Plant Nutrition, Plant Protection, By-products Processing Technology, Farm Mechanization Technology, Agricultural Economics & Biometry.

• Salary Scale: Rs. 152,500/- - 15 x 4,100/- - 214,000/-

• Age Limit: 35 to 55 years.

• Key Qualifications (External): Four-year degree in Science/Agriculture/Engineering with a class, a PhD in a relevant discipline, and at least 15 years of research and management experience (5 years after obtaining PhD).

4. Principal Technology Transfer Officer (HM 1-3) – 01 Position

• Salary Scale: Rs. 152,500/- - 15 x 4,100/- - 214,000/-

• Age Limit: 35 to 55 years.

• Key Qualifications (External): Four-year degree in Agriculture with a class, a PhD in a relevant discipline, and at least 15 years of extension and management experience (5 years after obtaining PhD).

5. Senior Technology Transfer Officer (AR 2) – 01 Position

• Salary Scale: Rs. 133,220/- - 10 x 3,600/- - 169,220/- (Initial Salary Step paid amount Rs. 116,763/-)

• Age Limit: 25 to 45 years (Upper age limit does not apply to public sector and internal candidates).

• Key Qualifications (External): Four-year special degree with a 1st or 2nd Class Upper in Agriculture (or 2nd Class Lower with a 1-year postgraduate degree, or basic degree with a 2-year research postgraduate degree in Agricultural Extension), AND a PhD in Agricultural Extension with 8 years of extension experience.

6. Research Officer (AR 1) – 03 Positions

• Subject Areas: Crop Improvement (01), Mechanization Technology (01), Crop Nutrition (01).

• Salary Scale: Rs. 91,650/- - 10 x 2,480/- - 15 x 3,450/- - 168,200/- (Initial Salary Step paid amount Rs. 81,675/-)

• Age Limit: 18 to 45 years.

• Key Qualifications (External): Four-year special degree with a 1st or 2nd Class Upper in Science, Engineering, or Agriculture; OR 2nd Class Lower with a 1-year postgraduate degree; OR a basic degree with a 2-year postgraduate research degree in the relevant field.

7. Development Officer (JM 1-2) – 02 Positions

• Salary Scale: Rs. 74,010/- - 10 x 1,360/- - 18 x 2,040/- - 124,330/- (Initial Salary Step paid amount Rs. 66,781/-)

• Age Limit: 18 to 45 years.

• Key Qualifications (External): BSc degree in Agriculture/Plantation Management from a recognized university AND a minimum of 3 years of proven experience in extension and/or development activities in a government department, corporation, statutory board, or recognized private sector organization.

8. Technical Officer (MA 2-2) – 08 Positions (Includes 01 Position for Automobile Mechanic)

• Salary Scale: Rs. 50,540/- - 10 x 540/- - 7 x 630/- - 4 x 1,080/- - 20 x 1,280/- - 90,270/- (Initial Salary Step paid amount Rs. 46,960/-)

• Age Limit: 18 to 45 years.

• Key Qualifications (External): G.C.E. (O/L) in six subjects with four credits including Sinhala/Tamil, English, Mathematics, and Science AND G.C.E. (A/L) in Science with three passes in one sitting with a two-year Diploma not below N.V.Q. Level 5.

Benefits & Facilities

• Government-approved allowances paid in addition to salary.

• Transport facilities or transport allowance provided (Only for HM 2-3 & HM 1-3 salary categories).

• Medical benefits under the Institute's Medical Scheme.

• Rent-free quarters provided, if available.

• Provident Fund: Employee contributes 10%, Institute contributes 15% to EPF, plus 3% to ETF.

Examination Fee (For Research Officer, Development Officer, and Technical Officer)

• A non-refundable examination fee of Rs. 2,000.00 must be deposited to Account No. 208-1001-2133-4359 at People's Bank - Battaramulla branch under The Director, Sugarcane Research Institute.

• The original bank-certified payment slip must be attached to the application (applications without the deposit slip will be rejected).

How to Apply

1. Download the prescribed application form from the official website: www.sugarres.lk.

2. Attach copies of certificates, relevant documents, and the original examination fee deposit slip (where applicable).

3. Applicants from Government Departments, Corporations, and Statutory Boards must forward their applications through their respective Head of Department.

4. Envelope Marking: Clearly mention the post applied for and the selected subject area on the top-left hand corner of the envelope.

5. Send under registered post on or before 23rd November 2026 to:

The Chairman

Sugarcane Research Institute

Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka