Sri Lanka Railways Engine Driver Assistant Vacancies 2026

Sri Lanka Railways has invited applications from qualified male Sri Lankan citizens for the Open Competitive Examination to recruit Railway Engine Driver Assistants to Grade III.

A total of 80 vacancies are expected to be filled through this recruitment examination.

⚡ Quick Information

🏛️ Institution: Sri Lanka Railways
💼 Post: Railway Engine Driver Assistant – Grade III
📌 Vacancies: 80
👨 Eligible Gender: Male only
🎂 Age Limit: 18–35 years
🎓 Educational Qualification: G.C.E. O/L
🛠️ Technical Qualification: Recognized 2½-year technical course
📏 Minimum Height: 5 feet 4 inches
💰 Salary Scale: Rs. 50,090–84,420
📊 Salary Code: MT 1–2025
💳 Examination Fee: Rs. 1,200
📮 Application Method: Registered Post
📅 Gazette Date: 28 August 2026
🔴 Closing Date: 28 September 2026

Sinhala Advertisement

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Educational Qualifications

Applicants should have passed the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination in one sitting with six subjects.

Credit passes should have been obtained for:

Sinhala, Tamil or English Language
Mathematics
Science
One other subject

Professional Qualification

Applicants should have successfully completed a technical course with a duration of 2½ years recognized by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission.

All required qualifications should have been completed by the closing date.

Age Requirement

Applicants should be not less than 18 years and not more than 35 years of age as of 28 September 2026.

Accordingly, eligible applicants should have been born:

On or after 28 September 1991
On or before 28 September 2008

Physical Requirements

Applicants should:

Be physically and mentally fit to perform the duties of the post
Be able to serve in any part of Sri Lanka
Have a minimum height of 5 feet 4 inches
Pass the stipulated eyesight examination
Possess excellent character

Only male Sri Lankan citizens are eligible to apply.

Salary Scale

The applicable salary code is MT 1–2025.

The monthly salary scale is:

Rs. 50,090 – 10×540 – 11×630 – 10×1,010 – 10×1,190 – Rs. 84,420

The salary will be converted according to Public Administration Circular No. 10/2025.

Examination Fee

The non-refundable examination fee is Rs. 1,200.

The payment should be made at any People’s Bank branch to the following account maintained at the People’s Bank City Office branch:

Account Number: 176-100129027-313

The original payment receipt should be securely affixed to the relevant section of the application. Applicants should retain a photocopy of the receipt.

Money orders and stamps will not be accepted.

Competitive Examination

The examination will be conducted in Sinhala and Tamil media.

Examination Subject

Technical Knowledge

Duration: 2 hours
Total Marks: 100
Pass Mark: 50

The paper will test basic knowledge of machinery, equipment and their uses relevant to the duties of a Railway Engine Driver Assistant.

Applicants who obtain the highest marks will be called for an interview and physical fitness assessment according to the number of vacancies.

Training and Appointment

Selected candidates will undergo three months of practical and theoretical training relevant to the duties of a Railway Engine Driver Assistant.

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

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare the application on A4 paper according to the model application included in the Gazette notification.

The applicant’s signature on the application and examination admission card should be certified by an authorized person.

The completed application should be sent by registered post to:

General Manager of Railways
Office of the General Manager of Railways
Appointments Branch
P.O. Box 355
Olcott Mawatha
Colombo 10

The following wording should be clearly written on the upper-left corner of the envelope:

“Open Competitive Examination for Recruitment to the Post of Railway Engine Driver Assistant – 2026”

Incomplete applications and applications received after the closing date will be rejected.

Applicants are advised to retain:

A photocopy of the completed application
A photocopy of the examination-fee receipt
Registered-post receipt

Closing Date

Applications should reach the General Manager of Railways on or before 28 September 2026.

Official Sources

Sri Lanka Railways:
https://www.railway.gov.lk/

Applicants should read the complete Gazette notification and model application before applying.

Source Note:
This information has been prepared with reference to the official advertisement and relevant institutional sources. Applicants are advised to verify all details from the official source before applying.