The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has called on the government to recruit Development Officers into the Teacher Service.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that these officers have worked for a period of 5 to 10 years to help address the teacher shortage in the country.

He further emphasized that, with the Cabinet approval and recommendations from the Public Service Commission—along with written recommendations from the Ministry of Education and zonal offices—nearly 22,000 Development Officer teachers have contributed to strengthening free education in Sri Lanka.

Although promises were made on various occasions to absorb them into the teacher service, Opposition Leader Premadasa noted that about 5,000 of them have since left, while around 17,000 are currently providing an outstanding service in overcoming the teacher shortage.

He also recalled that when the current government was in the opposition, it had promised to recruit these Development Officers into the teaching service.

The Opposition Leader said according to a compromise proposal, they can be recruited as trainee teachers into Grade 2.2, with the opportunity to be confirmed as permanent teachers upon completing a postgraduate qualification.

Despite the existence of such a decision, the Leader of the Opposition pointed out that government ministers are now stating that it is not possible to absorb Development Officers into the teaching service.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa further stated that government representatives did not make such claims during the election period, and that the present administration has now deceived the Development Officers.