Engineering Assistant

Job Overview

The Irrigation Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, invites applications from qualified Sri Lankan citizens for recruitment to Grade III of the Engineering Assistants’ Service through an open competitive examination. 102 vacancies are available.

• Job Title: Engineering Assistant – Grade III
• Organization: Irrigation Department
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation
• Vacancies: 102
• Service Category: Supervisory Management Assistant / Technical
• Job Type: Permanent & Pensionable
• Job Location: Any part of Sri Lanka
• Examination: Open Competitive Examination
• Expected Examination: October 2026, Colombo District

Position Details

Directly recruited officers will be appointed to Grade III and will undergo six months of in-service training at the Irrigation Department.

The appointment is permanent and pensionable, subject to applicable government policies and regulations.

Company Overview

The Irrigation Department of Sri Lanka is responsible for irrigation development and related water-management infrastructure, including irrigation schemes, flood-water and salt-water prevention schemes, water control, construction, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance activities.

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• Passed G.C.E. O/L in six subjects at one sitting, with Credit passes in Sinhala/Tamil, English Language, Mathematics, Science and one other subject; and
• Passed G.C.E. A/L at one sitting in the relevant subjects under either the old or new syllabus:
  • Old syllabus: Physics, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Chemistry; or
  • New syllabus: Higher Mathematics or Combined Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

Vocational Qualifications

Applicants may also qualify through recognized civil/irrigation engineering qualifications, including:

• Diploma in Irrigation Engineering from an Irrigation Training Institute at Galgamuwa or Kotmale.
• National Diploma in Technology – Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa.
• Higher National Diploma in Engineering – Civil Engineering from SLIATE, Mattakkuliya.
• National Diploma in Engineering Sciences – Civil Engineering from the Institute of Engineering Technology, Katunayake.
• Diploma in Technology – Civil Engineering from the Open University.
• A similar recognized course meeting the required conditions, including NVQ Level 06.

Applicants who have completed the relevant course but have not yet received the certificate may also apply, subject to producing the certificate at the interview and the certificate’s effective date being before the application closing date.

Age Limit

• Minimum: 18 years
• Maximum: 30 years
• Age is calculated as at the closing date of applications.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of an Irrigation Engineer, the Engineering Assistant may be responsible for:

• Conducting preliminary investigations for construction, improvement, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of irrigation and water-control schemes.
• Carrying out surveying and levelling.
• Preparing limited-scale drafts and civil engineering designs.
• Preparing plans, quantity surveys, rate analyses and estimates.
• Preparing procurement documents according to standard specifications.
• Supervising construction work and maintaining quality control.
• Managing machinery, fuel, materials and stores at field sites and handling relevant accounting.
• Supervising work supervisors, technical aides, field assistants and labourers.
• Performing field duties assigned under the Irrigation Ordinance and other relevant Acts.

Required Skills

The role requires the ability to:

• Work in field and engineering environments.
• Perform surveying and levelling work.
• Prepare engineering drawings, plans and estimates.
• Conduct quantity surveying and rate analysis.
• Supervise construction and maintain quality standards.
• Manage field resources, machinery, materials and stores.
• Work under the supervision of Irrigation Engineers and coordinate field teams.

Applicants must also be physically and mentally fit to serve in any part of Sri Lanka and perform the duties of the post.

Salary & Benefits

The applicable salary scale is:

MN 3-2025: Rs. 52,250 – 10 × Rs. 800 – 11 × Rs. 1,190 – 10 × Rs. 1,320 – 10 × Rs. 1,350 – Rs. 100,040/-.

The post is permanent and pensionable, subject to government pension policy. Contributions are also made to the Widows/Widowers’ and Orphans’ Pension Fund.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka website under “Online Application – Recruitment Exams / E.B. Exams”.

• Applications Open: 22 June 2026 at 9.00 a.m.
• Closing Date:07 September 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
• Application Language: English
• Examination Fee: Rs. 1,200/-

The examination will be conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English, and the selected examination medium cannot subsequently be changed.

Selection Process

Recruitment will be based on:

1. Written Competitive Examination
2. General Interview

The general interview is only for checking physical fitness and certificates and carries no marks. Candidates are selected for the interview based on their merit in the written examination.

The examination includes a one-hour Intelligence Test, with 100 marks and a 40-mark pass mark. The test assesses logical and analytical thinking, decision-making and judgement.

Important Notes

• Applicants must be Sri Lankan citizens.
• Applicants must have an excellent moral character.
• Persons ordained in a religious order are not eligible to sit for the examination.
• Selected applicants must be prepared to serve anywhere in Sri Lanka.
• Direct recruits are subject to a three-year probationary period and must pass the First Efficiency Bar Examination within that period.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.
• The examination fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Source :

Download Job Details (Sinhala)

Download Job Details (Tamil)

Download Job Details (English)

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