The Department of Railways is set to recruit between 300 and 400 employees across all categories by the end of this year, General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, he noted that the department has been proceeding with recruitment as the necessary approvals have been granted by the authorities. “There are vacancies across all categories of employees. We have already conducted the examinations and interviews, and expect to complete the recruitment of about 300-400 employees by the end of this year. We have to move forward as and when the approvals are received.”

The move comes amidst criticism of inefficiency within the department by passengers as well as allegations of employee shortages by Railways trade unions. The Deputy Minister of Transport Dr. Prasanna Gunasena recently warned that if improvements are not seen soon, administrative control of the department may be restructured.

The department is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most relied-upon public institutions, playing an important role in both passenger and freight transport. Despite its long history, the department has struggled in recent years with staff shortages, ageing infrastructure, and delays in modernisation.