MINUTE OF THE SRI LANKA TECHNOLOGICAL SERVICE

The Minute dated 15th March 1996 on the Sri Lanka Technological Service published in Gazette
Extraordinary No.915/18 dated 22nd March, 1996 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is hereby deleted and the following Minute is substituted in its place. 

P.A.Senaratne,
Secretary,
Ministry of Public Administration,
Home Affairs and Plantation Industries.

Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Plantation Industries,
Independence Square,
Colombo 07.

20th August, 1999. 

1.0 Effective date :

This Minute shall come into force on 01st July, 1994, without prejudice, however, to any action deemed to have been taken in terms of existing provisions in the respective schemes of recruitment approved by the Director of Establishments. The existing schemes of recruitment and promotional procedures will cease to operate from that date.

1. The services, included. The Sri Lanka Technological Service shall consist of all services organized on scientific theories and required to obtain training on technical knowledge connected with practical subjects.
Services requiring minimum educational qualifications to be qualified for semi professional qualifications where management level could be reached through training and experience, and services supplementary to professional services such as Engineering, Scientific, Agricultural and Animal Production which are managerial services.

2.0 Interpretation :

(a) The term "minute" shall mean the minute of the Sri Lanka Technological Service.
(b) The term "the Secretary" shall mean the Secretary to the Ministry to which the subject of Public Administration is assigned.
(c) The term "Service" shall mean the Sri Lanka Technological Service.
(d) The term "Board" shall mean the Sri Lanka Technological Service Board.
(e) The term "the Secretary to the PSC" shall mean the Secretary to the Public Service Commission. 
(f) The term "Gazette" shall mean the Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 
(g) The term "Satisfactory Service" shall mean a period of 5 years immediately preceding the date of promotion during which all the salary increments due have been earned, and during which no punishment has been imposed. 

3.0 Sri Lanka Technological Service Board : 

(a) There shall be a board titled "Sri Lanka Technological Service Board" (hereinafter referred to as the Board) which shall consist of five members appointed by the Minister  of charge of the subject of Public Administration. An officer in the Ministry to which the subject of Public Administration is assigned shall be the Chairperson. The other members shall be three other persons out side the Public Service eminent in the field of Science and Technology and a retired Senior Officer of the Sri Lanka Technological Service.

(b) The Board shall be responsible for the management of the Service, the training and deployment of its personnel and inter departmental transfers under the supervision of the Public Service Commission were relevant.

4.0 Structure of Salary Scales and Cadre :

There shall be no cadre ratio from the Training Class upto Class I and the total number of posts shall be determined on the requirements of each Department.

Special Class - Rs.92,580-15 X 2,460 - 129,480.
Class I - Rs.74,160-13 X 1,560 - 5 X 2,460-106,740.
Class II A - Rs.58,440-1 X 1,320 - 13 X 1,560 - 80,040.
The officers in Class II A should pass the 2nd Efficiency Bar Examination prescribed for them before 3rd salary increment.
Class II B - Rs. 51,840 - 7 X 1,320 - 10 X 1,560 - Rs. 76,680. The officers in the Class II B should pass the 1st Efficiency Bar Examination prescribed for them before 3rd salary increment.
Training Grade - Rs. 49,200 - 1 X 1,320 - RS 50,520.

  These Salary Scales are subject to revision by the Government from time to time.

(a) Candidates who possess the National Diploma in Technology, or equivalent Technological qualifications mentioned in paragraph 6:4 will be recruited to Class IIB. Any special training that may be necessary shall also be provided.

(b) Candidates who possess the Certificate in Training Course of Draughtmen, or the National Certificate in Technology or an equivalent certificate recognized by the Sri Lanka Technological Services Board shall be admitted to the Training Grade, and after one years theoretical and practical training, they shall be appointed to Class II B.

(c) An Officer qualified through an Open Competitive Examination for the Training Grade in the Technological Service, i.e., those who possess only the basic qualifications mentioned in paragraph 6:3 (only G.C.E. Advanced Level and G.C.E. Ordinary Level qualifications), but not possessing Technological qualifications, shall be admitted to the Training Grade, and such trainees shall on satisfactory completion of a training period of two years be placed on the initial salary step in the salary scale of Class IIB at the end of two years while continuing to remain in the Training Grade.

(d) The officers selected for Training Grade through Departmental Examinations should further remain in their former salary scales and shall be paid annual allowance equal to the initial salary increment of recruitment grade in addition to their salary until the successful completion of the training course. During the second year of training, the allowance shall further be provided while being placed thereafter on higher salary steps of their existing salary scales. After completion of the examination satisfactorily, they shall be placed in the salary scale of the Technological Service corresponding to the present salary step in terms of the Establishment Code amended by Public Administration Circular No. 11//94 of 11.02.1995.

(e) If there are any special services which require training for more than two years, the trainees at the end of the training shall be recruited to Class II B, on the basis of providing an increment for each additional year in recognition of their additional training and the additional period of training shall be reckoned for the purpose of promotion to Class II A.

5.0 Number of Posts in each Grade :

5.1  The number of posts which should be in the Special Grade shall be recommended by the Sri Lanka Technological Services Board taking into account the requirements of each department and requirements of promotions, subject to the provisions in Section I of Chapter II of the Establishment Code. There shall be no cadre ratio from Class II B to Class I and the composition of the grades shall be determined without exceeding the approved total number of posts taking into consideration the promotions received by officers.

Note.-- The creation of posts in the special grade should be made on the requirement of each Department and the posts that Grade should be created without delay for all services which do not possess Special Grade.

6.0 Recruitment :
 

6:1	90% of the vacancies in Class II B which is the recruitment Class shall be filled by an Open Competitive Examination while the balance 10% shall be filled from the qualified employees of the Department in terms of the provision under 6:4:2.
6.2	All recruitment shall be made under the supervision of the Technological Service Board.
6.3	For admission to the Training Grade, the candidates should have obtained the basic educational qualifications set out in (I) below, or basic Technological qualifications set out in (II) below.
	(i)	Passed the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination in 03 science subjects in one sitting out of which 2 passes are relevant to the Service together with a pass in the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination in 06 subjects in not more than two sittings with credit passes in language or Literature, Arithmetic/Mathematics, Science and one other subject, or
	(ii)	Passed the National Certificate in Technology, or has completed the Draughtsmen's Training Course or any other Technological qualification recognized by the Sri Lanka Technological Services Board.
		(a)	In this instance, it is not obligatory that those candidates should possess the G.C.E.(A/L) referred to in 6.3 (1) above. However, they should possess the entry qualification at the time of enrollment to such courses and also fulfill the requirements regarding proficiency in official language.
		(b)	Candidates who possess the relevant Open University Foundation Course or any other qualification approved by the Board from time to time, should be exempted from the requirement of G.C.E. (O/L) qualification.
	6:3:1	Candidates who possess only the basic qualifications under (I) above (i.e. G.C.E. Advanced Level and G.C.E. Ordinary Level) will be appointed to Class II B of the Sri Lanka Technological Service which is the recruitment Class according to paragraph 4.0 above on successful completion of two years theoretical and practical training course according to the syllabus relevant to the Service, and thereafter passing the relevant examination.
	6:3:2	Departmental candidates, who are selected to the Training Grade on the results of a Departmental Examination will be admitted to Class II B of the Sri Lanka Technological Service on successful completion the prescribed training period mentioned in the relevant scheme of recruitment, and hereafter passing the examination held by the Department.
	6:3:3	Candidates who possess the National Technological Certificate or other equivalent recognized Technological qualifications mentioned in paragraph 6:3 will be admitted to the Training Grade, and after successful completion one year's theoretical and practical training course according to the syllabuses relevant to the service, will be appointed to Class II"B" as shown in Note (B) of paragraph 4.0 above.
6:4	Eligibility for appointment :-
	6:4:1	90% of the vacancies will be filled by direct recruitment. The following qualifications will be accepted as Technological qualifications for direct recruitment according to 6:3 (II) above to Class II B of the Sri Lanka Technological Service.
		(i)	National Diploma in Technology awarded by the University of Moratuwa or Hardy Technical College, Ampara.
		(ii)	National Diploma in Engineering Science awarded by the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority.
		(iii)	Higher National Diploma in Engineering awarded by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
		(iv)	Two year Diploma Course Certificate in Agriculture issued by an Institution recognized by the Government.
		(v)	Diploma in Technology awarded by the Open University of Sri Lanka.
		(vi)	Successful completion of Part I of the Engineering examination conducted by the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka.
		(vii)	Any other qualification recognized by the Sri Lanka Technological Services Board as being equivalent to the above Technological qualifications.
	6:4:2	10% of the vacancies will be reserved for Departmental employees :-
		Departmental employees possessing 6 subjects with credit passes in Language or Literature, Mathematics and Science at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination in not more than two sittings and 10 years experience in the relevant field shall be included in the Training Grade on the results of a Departmental Examination. Selection shall be made from persons who have completed at least 5 years satisfactory service in Class I Grade II of the skilled Technical Grades.  In respect of employees in the Railway Department, admission to the Training Grade will be on satisfactory results obtained in a competitive trade test conducted by the Department of Examinations and according to the recruitment policy already approved and subject to the maximum approved percentage.

7.0 Method of Recruitment :

All recruitment shall be made in terms of Public Administration Circulars that may be issued from time to time and according to the provisions of the Establishment Code. Approval of Schemes of Recruitment for appointment to permanent posts shall be made by the Director of Establishments incorporating any provisions exceptional to any post, subject to the provisions of this Minute. The Heads of Departments and Ministries should follow the above procedure for purposes of recruitment.

8.0 Procedure that should be followed regarding promotions :
 

8.1	(a)	Officers in Class IIB with five years' satisfactory service and who have passed the first Departmental Examination for officers in Class II B shall be promoted to Class II A.
	(b)	The officers who have passed the Efficiency Bar Examination, with 12 years' satisfactory service in Class II B and earned all increments for 5 years preceding the date of promotion, shall be promoted to Class II A.
8.2	(a)	The officers who have completed 4 years' satisfactory service in Class IIA and have passed 2nd Departmental Examination shall be promoted to Class I.
	(b)	The officers who have passed the 2nd Efficiency Bar Examination, with 10 years' satisfactory service in Class IIA and earned all increments for 5 years preceding the date of promotion, shall be promoted to Class I.
8.3	From Class I to Special Class :-
	(a)	40% of the vacancies in Special Class shall be filled from officers who have 4 years satisfactory service in Class I and have passed the prescribed examination.
	(b)	60% of the vacancies shall be filled on seniority from officers who have 6 years satisfactory service in Class I.
8.4	Promotions made to Professional Service.- A certain percentage of the cadre of the Professional Services in Departments shall be reserved for promotions of officers in Class I of the Technological Service on the results of an examination. Such avenues of promotions shall be extended to the Technological Services where there are no promotional prospects.

9.0 Departmental Examinations and Efficiency Bar Examinations : 
 

(i)	The first and second Efficiency Bar Examinations of the Sri Lanka Technological Service should be conducted by the Department of Examinations. The Departmental Examinations should be conducted by the respective Departments. Questions on Financial Regulations and Establishments Code should not be included in Departmental Examinations.
The Departmental Examinations should consist of question papers relevant to the Departmental rules and regulations, Acts, procedures etc. in addition to the Technological matters pertaining to the Department.  Note.- Subjects and syllabuses for the above mentioned Efficiency Bar examinations are given in Appendix 'A'.
(ii)	All Efficiency Bars shall be written examinations. A pass in these examinations is compulsory and no exemption will be granted on account of age.
(iii)	Officers possessing one of the qualifications stipulated in paragraph 6.4 above is entitled to be exempted from Technical subjects in the 1st Departmental Examination. But they shall have to pass the subject on Departmental rules and regulations.
(iv)	All officers shall pass the 2nd Departmental Examination held as per syllabus relevant to their field of duties to be eligible for promotion from Class II A to Class I.
(v)	An examination shall be held by the Department of Examinations consisting of two papers on Management and Aptitude under the guidance of the Board for purposes of promotion from Class I to Special Class. 40% of the vacancies in the Special Class will be filled from those who have passed the above examination. However, until 31.12.2004 special consideration should be given to those who have 10 years or more experience in the Class I of the Sri Lanka Technological Service. Therefore, the vacancies should be filled by appointing officers who have passed the relevant examination according to the following percentages.
	20% upto 31st Dec. 2000  24% upto 31st Dec. 2001  28% upto 31st Dec. 2002  32% upto 31st Dec. 2003  36% upto 31st Dec. 2004 40% from 31st Dec. 2005 onwards
Note.- Subjects and the Syllabuses for the above mentioned examination are given in Appendix 'B'.

10.0 Transitional Provisions :-
 

(i)	Officers who had passed 1st and 2nd Departmental Examinations in the Middle Level Technical Service at the time of absorption of such officers into the Sri Lanka Technological Service in terms of Public Administration Circulars No: 27/94 and 27/94(I), shall be deemed to have passed 1st and 2nd Departmental Examinations in the Sri Lanka Technological Service.
(ii)	The period of service of such officers in each grade in the Middle Level Technical Service at the time of absorption into the Sri Lanka Technological Service in terms of Public Administration Circulars Nos.:27/94 and 27/94(I) shall be deemed to be considered as a period of service in the new grade of the new service to which they have been absorbed.
(iii)	This Minute shall come into force on 01st July, 1994 without prejudice, however, to any action that may have been taken during 01.07.1994-22.03.1996 according to the provisions of the Middle Level Technical Service Minute. Those officers who were eligible for promotion from Class II B to Class II A in terms of the Middle Level Technical Service Minute during the period 01.07.1994- 22.03.1996 (both dates inclusive) but who did not receive such promotion could be deem to be eligible for promotion in terms of Sri Lanka Technological Service Minute with effect from the date they qualify.

11.0 Heads of Departments should take steps to amend Schemes of Recruitment to various posts to conform to the revised amended Minute : 

Appendix 'A' - Efficiency Bar Examinations

(A) Efficiency Bar Examination of Grade II"B" 
This examination consists of two papers.

1. Office Administration and Establishments Code (Two hours)
2. Financial Regulations (Two Hours)

Syllabus for question paper No. 1:-
Office Administration and Establishments Code :-
This paper will be based on the following Chapters of Establishments Code. 

Chapter II - Recruitment Procedure and Appointment.
Chapter III - Transfers.
Chapter IV - Grant of Monthly pay, Temporary Status, Permanent status and pensionability.
Chapter V - Release, Reversion, and Termination of Employment.
Chapter VIII - Overtime, Holidays, Holiday pay and Allowances.
Chapter XII - Leave.
Chapter XIII - Railway Warrants.
Chapter XIV - Travel on duty within the Island.
Chapter XIX - Government Quarters.
Chapter XLVII- General conduct and discipline.

Syllabus for question paper No. 2 :-
This paper will be based on the following Chapters of Financial Regulations.

1. Chapter I.

Estimate of Expenditure and Revenue. The Consolidated Fund, Annual Estimates, Variations of Estimates. (FRR. 1 to 68)
2. Chapter III Financial Management and Accountability. Chief Accounting Officers, Accounting Officers, Revenue Officers, Authorization, Approval, Certification, Delegation of Authority. (FRR 124 to 147)