The government has commenced a comprehensive programme to recruit more than 120,000 individuals to the state service in 2026, Minister of Public Administration Chandana Abeyratne said.
Speaking to reporters, the Minister said the recruitment drive is aimed at filling existing vacancies across the public sector, including in the education, health and agriculture sectors.
As part of the programme, around 30,000 teachers are expected to be recruited, with the relevant competitive examination to be conducted shortly.
Abeyratne said candidates who qualify through the examination will subsequently be called for interviews, adding that the necessary preparations for the recruitment process have already been made.
Meanwhile, the recruitment process for more than 1,500 Grama Niladhari officers has reached its final stages. The Minister said the relevant examinations and interviews have already been completed, with authorities now preparing to issue appointment letters to successful candidates.
Further recruitments are also planned to fill vacancies in several other areas of the state service, including the health and agriculture sectors.
According to Abeyratne, nearly 35,000 individuals were recruited to the state service in 2025, including graduates and other eligible youth.
He said measures to recruit more than 120,000 individuals this year have already commenced under the government’s broader plan to fill vacancies across the public service. (Newswire)