Draughtsman, Research Assistant, Hydrological Assistant (Limited)

Applications are invited from qualified officers currently in the service of the Irrigation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for the Limited Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III Posts of the Sri Lanka Technological Service. The examination will be conducted by the Commissioner General of Examinations in Colombo in February 2027.

Available Positions & Vacancies

Note: Posts 1 through 10 enter via a Training Grade (1-year training), after which they are appointed to Grade III upon passing the requisite departmental exam.

Salary Scale & Service Category

• Service Category: Supervisory Management Assistant – Technical

• Grade: Grade III (post-training)

• Salary Scale: MN 3-2025 – Rs. 52,250 - 10 x 800 - 11 x 1,190 - 10 x 1,320 - 10 x 1,350 - 100,040/- per month (in accordance with Public Administration Circular 10/2025).

• Training Period Salary: During the 1-year training grade, officers remain in their previous salary scale while receiving a special annual allowance equivalent to the starting increment of the recruitment grade.

• Terms of Appointment: Permanent and pensionable, subject to a 1-year acting/probationary period.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Service & General Qualifications

• Must be a permanent departmental officer in the Irrigation Department.

• Must have completed a minimum of 5 years of active and satisfactory service in a permanent departmental post in the public service immediately preceding the closing date.

• No upper age limit.

2. Educational Qualifications

• Passed the G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) Examination in six (06) subjects in not more than two sittings with credit passes for Language or Literature, Science, and Mathematics.

3. Professional Qualifications (Specific to Posts)

• Draftsman / Soil Mapper: Successfully completed a 1-year full-time Diploma course in Drafting from a government-recognized technical college.

• Drilling Assistant / Hydrology Assistant / Hydrology Field Assistant / Research Assistant (Engineering Materials) / Civil Engineering Materials Surveyor: Completed the 3-year National Certificate in Technology (NCT - Civil) from a government-recognized technical college.

• Soil Surveyor: Completed a certificate course in Agriculture recognized by the government (part-time: 3 years; full-time: minimum 9 months).

• Research Assistant (General): Completed a certificate course in Chemistry recognized by the government (part-time: 3 years; full-time: minimum 9 months).

• Research Assistant (Hydraulics): Completed NCT - Civil OR a National Certificate course for Industrial Technicians in a relevant field from a government-recognized technical college.

• Mechanical Basic: Completed the 3-year National Certificate in Technology (NCT - Mechanical) from a government-recognized technical college.

• Experience Requirement: Minimum of 10 years of active and satisfactory service experience in the relevant field within a primary or higher service category.

Examination Procedure & Syllabus

The examination consists of two written papers conducted in Sinhala and Tamil:

1. Aptitude Test (Բුද්ධි පරීක්ෂණය): Duration – 1 hour | Maximum Marks – 100 | Pass Mark – 40

   • Designed to test the candidate's logical thinking, analytical capability, and judgment.

2. Subject-Related Technical Examination (විෂයානුබද්ධ තාක්ෂණික පරීක්ෂණය): Duration – 3 hours | Maximum Marks – 100 | Pass Mark – 40

   • Tailored technical papers specific to the applied post (covering drafting principles, basic civil/mechanical engineering, chemistry, soil science, hydrologic field science, etc.).

How to Apply

• Application Method: Strictly Online via the Department of Examinations website: www.donets.lk under "Our Services" -> "Online Applications - Recruitment Exams/E.B. Exams".

• Application Window: Opens on 26th October 2026 at 9:00 AM and closes on 25th November 2026 at 9:00 PM.

• Examination Fee: Rs. 1,200/- payable via online payment methods provided by the system (Any Bank Credit/Debit Card, BOC Online Banking, or any BOC Branch).

• Important Note: Applicants must submit a printed copy of their online application along with proof of payment to their Head of Department for their personal file, and produce certified copies when called for interviews. An applicant can apply for a maximum of three (03) posts in order of preference.

P.M. Jayadira

Director General of Irrigation

Irrigation Department

Colombo 07, Sri Lanka

Date: 19th October 2026