Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Nomination and Selection Guideline of Officers

for Overseas/Local Programmes

(Training, Market Development & Others)

March 2017

Human Resources Division

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 Sri Lanka Export Development Board
Criteria for nominating officers for Overseas/Local Programmes

(Training, Market Development & Others)

1.0 Introduction

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), is Sri Lanka’s apex organization for the development
and promotion of exports.

2.0 Purpose

To be the nation’s leading catalyst organization for the development and promotion of products and
services for exports and to enhance global competitiveness to maximize export earnings and achieve
organizational and national goals by way of developing the core competencies of the employees of
the Board and achieve competitive advantage in the global market and to ensure equal training
opportunities for all employees of the Board.

3.0 Selection for Overseas Training Programs:

Overseas training Programs can be basically divided into three broad areas.

a. General Training Programs

b. Specific Programs
c. Agency Based Training Programs

3.1 General Training Programs

This category includes the training programs in which any staff officer could participate. Officers
in all divisions should be knowledgeable to have a broad view of the export development and
general managerial knowledge and skills. General training program’s attention has to be focused
on the broader perspectives covering export development, export promotion, entrepreneurial
culture and investment culture, knowledge on global marketing issues, environment protection
and enhancing managerial and leadership skills.

3.2 Specific Programs

These are mainly subject oriented programs.

 Study Tours
 Special Meetings, Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Investment Forum, Trade fairs
 Higher Educational Programs. PHDs, Masters Degree/ Post Graduate Diploma
 Subject Specific Training Programmes/ Seminar/ Workshops
 Technical Sessions

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3.3 Agency Based Training Programs such as APO/ JAICA/ etc.

3.3.1 Market Development Programs

Market development programmes including trade fairs

a. Product Specific Market Development Programmes (Agriculture/ Industrial export

seminars)
b. Market Specific Market Development Programmes (Multi Products)

 Product Specific Market Development Programmes (Agricultural/ Industrial

export seminars)

Agricultural and industrial products through systematic and integrated programmes

which include international market development, export services development,
supply development, technological development, quality improvement and
packaging development etc.

When nominating officers for participation in trade fairs and export development
programmes, market study B-B meetings, contact promotion programs, relevant
officers from the core group should be nominated based on the specific product
sector.

 Market Specific Programmes

The Market Development Division of the EDB is responsible in carrying out market
development programs.

Therefore the officer who is responsible for a particular market / market region
attend to the activities related to organization of Sri Lanka’s participation in trade
fairs and export development programmes in those markets. Therefore, that
particular officer may be nominated to coordinate, implement, participate and to
attend to the follow-up activities related to trade fairs and export development
programmes in these markets.

Further when an officer is getting the opportunity to participate in a trade fair and
other overseas programmes more than once a year, suggest nominating another
appropriate officer from the division/ EDB to carry out the programme.

3.3.2 Investment Promotion Programmes when organizing programmes jointly with

other Organizations – When regarding higher authorities EDB involve for this type
of programmes

 When only one candidate can be nominated for a particular programme, the
Committee will select most suitable officer placing due consideration for the
following criteria:

a. Seniority and length of services in the organization.

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 b. Period to be served in the organization.
c. Performance during the last three years and contribution to the organizational
activities in relevant area.
d. Relevancy of the contents of the programme to the duties currently performed
by the officer concerned and usefulness for career advancement.
e. Educational background and capacity to undertake a foreign programme.
f. Total cost involved and availability of funds.
g. Number of times participated for similar progarmme.

Based on the above criteria, priority will be given to those who have not
received foreign training before.

3.3.3 Training Committee

 The Training Committee will be comprised of,

a) Director General
b) Additional Director General
c) Director Human Resource Management
d) Relevant Head/s of the department/s

 The nominations/selections of the Training Committee will be forwarded to the

Chairman & CE for final approval.

 Once the EDB/ Division (individual) received requested for foreign training, those
requests also will be forwarded to the Training Committee for consideration. The
Committee will evaluate those requests on above criteria.

4.0 Duration of the Training Programs:

The training programs categorized on the basis of duration are as follows.

a) Long Term Training Programmes – 3 months and above.

These include academic, post graduate education required on the subject, master’s
degree level programs to acquire the advanced theoretical concepts on the subject.
Facilities are expected to be provided for middle and junior level officers who do not
possess Master’s Degree from a local or foreign institution/ university.

b) Medium Term Training Programmes - 2 weeks to 3 months

Short courses on specific subject areas are included in this category. The training programs
notified from time to time through ERD, APO, JICA and other donor agencies could be
incorporated to this category.

c) Short Term Training Programmes -Less than 2 weeks

Short programs/ seminars & workshops on a specific subject, environmental/ technical

issues could be considered under this category.

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5.0 Other Selection Considerations:

In determining the policy in the selection of staff for training the following criteria has been developed
as per the government policies.

 Ensure that the most suitable person is selected.

 The selection should be in line with the present duties or function of the officer. However,
the training committee may decide from time to time to extend the opportunities to
officers in other divisions taking into consideration the requirements stipulated by ERD
and other donor agencies.
 Inter Government meetings, Ministerial meetings, Focal Point meetings on International
Conventions and treaties, High level seminars and conferences etc, are generally meant
for senior officers where age limit is not applicable.
 Permanent officers should be selected for long term programs.
 The officers selected for long-term training should be below 45 years.
 The number of training programs/ Seminars/ Workshops/ Study tours to be attended
within one year should be limited to one time per person. (Except Market/ Product
Development Training).
 The officers who have not exposed to foreign training previously should be given priority
in selection.
 If the officers who are invited to participate at National Workshops organized by the
Ministry of other institutions, fail to participate without valid reasons are not considered
for nominations for foreign training programmes.
 The Guidelines stipulated in circular no. ERD/ Cir/ 01/03 of 20th August 2003 or latest
circular in this regard should be strictly adhered to when the selections are made for
foreign training under the foreign funded projects.

6.0 Authority of selection:

The selection will be done adhering to the following guidelines:

6.1 Inter-Governmental Meetings/ Ministerial Meetings/ Focal Point Meetings and Meetings
on International conventions and Treaties.

Selection : Secretary to the line Ministry based on the recommendation of the Heads of
the Institution.

6.2 Special Meetings, Conferences, Seminars meant for high level officers

Selection : Secretary to the line Ministry based on the recommendation of the Head of
the Institution/ Division.

6.3 Study Tours

Selection : Training Committee subject to the approval of Secretary to line Ministry

based on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution/ Division.

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 6.4 Higher Educational Programs: PHDs, Masters Degree/ Post Graduate Diploma (Long
Term Training Programs)

Selection : Training Committee on the nominations submitted by the respective Heads

of Divisions/ Institutions subject to Secretary’s approval.

6.5 Subject Specific Training/ Seminars/ Workshops/ Technical Sessions (Short term Training
Programmes)

Selection : Training Committee by the nominations sent by the respective Heads of

Institutions/ Divisions subject to Secretary’s approval.

7.0. Guideline to Heads of Divisions / Institutions

The Heads of Divisions are requested to be adhered to the following requirements in addition to the
condition stipulated in section 5.0 when they nominate officers from the respective divisions.

7.1 Long and medium term training programs

Requirements to be adhered:

a. The nominees should be permanent officers.

b. The officers who read for postgraduate degrees/ diplomas using government funds at the
time of nomination should not be selected.
c. If the local MSc’s/ Post Graduate Diploma has already been successfully completed they
will be considered in selecting for foreign MSc/ Diploma provided that the MSc/ Diploma
is relevant and necessary to carry out his/ her duties
d. The officers who possess foreign MSc’s should not be selected again to another MSc.
e. The officers who hold foreign Diplomas should not be selected for another Diploma.
f. The MSc/ Diploma should be relevant to the duties and functions carried out by the
nominee in the respective divisions/ institutes.
g. An applicant who has already nominated for a MSc/ diploma should not be nominated
again within a three months period from the date of previous nomination.
h. An officer who comes back after completing his/ her MSc should not be considered for
any other overseas training program within one year from the date he/ she reported for
duty.
i. An officer who comes after completing a Diploma or long term training program should
not be selected within eight months from the date he reported for duty.

7.2 Short term Training Programs:

The applicants can be selected irrespective the fact that they are on permanent basis.

a. The short term program should be relevant to the duties and functions carried out by the
nominee.
b. Priority should be given to those who have not much exposed formally to this kind of
training program.

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 7.3 Workshops / Seminars and Other Training Programs:

Based on the timely need of the organization and to fill the identified skill gaps through Training
Need Analysis and Performance evaluation, training programmes will be organized time to time
to fill those gaps.

These programmes will be directly impact on the day-to-day activities of the individuals and to
increase the quality of work. Individuals will be selected based on the content of the
programme.

8.0. Approval of the Hon. Minister:

All the nominations should be forwarded to the Hon. Minister’s approval. The nominations which are
sent to donor agencies for selection can be forwarded with the approval of the Secretary. (Subject to
Hon. Minister’s approval). Once they are selected the Hon. Minister’s approval should be obtained
before confirmation.

9.0. Bonds for long term Training Programs:

Officers who are selected for long term training should be entered into bonds as stipulated in the XV
chapter in the establishment code.

10.0. Submission of Report:

It is compulsory for every officer to submit the training report (02 copies) to HRD Division of the
Ministry within one month from date of reporting for work after returning. Those who do not submit
the reports will not be allowed to attend again for other training programs/ workshop/ seminars. They
also will be subject to disciplinary action by the relevant authorities.

11.0 Local Training Programs:

Selection Criteria:

a. The selection for local programs should be done through the respective Head of Divisions.
HR Division will notify from time to time the availability of the local training programs
from various institutions. The heads of Divisions are responsible to send the most suitable
candidate for these programs.
b. An officer should not be nominated repeatedly for the training programs of the same
subject area.
c. At least 04 months should be elapsed from the date of last training program for an officer
to get selected for another program.
d. Financial Assistance is not provided for the courses for which the applicants have
personally applied.

12.0 Deviation from criteria/Exclusions

However, occasionally we deviate from his procedure when more than one office’s involvement is
necessary including a senior level officer for organization of major events such as single country
exhibition etc.

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The Ministry in charge of the subject may also nominate an officer from the relevant organization or
from the Ministry to participate in the Trade Fairs depending on the circumstances.

13.0 Promotional activities

The Chairman has the authority to nominate an officer for promotional activities based on the
organizational requirement and the past performance of the individuals.

14.0 Release of Foreign Exchange on official travels and related expenses

The duty leave should be formally approved in accordance with the requirements of the
Establishments Code in order to obtain allowances on foreign travels and related expenses.

14.1 Payment of incidental allowances

Payment of incidental allowances for travel abroad for the purposes of study, training,
discussions and conferences related to expansion of qualifications, knowledge and skills.

In the absence of payments as incidental expenses by the foreign Government or Donor Agency
covering expenses such as travelling, airport taxes and telephone incurred abroad when an
officer travel abroad for participation in a program, an amount of US $ 40 per day shall be paid
for a maximum period of 30 days.

14.2 Reimbursable Expenses

Before leaving for official foreign travels, the following expenses which are incurred within the
country by the officer travel abroad can be reimbursed from the Government.

(a) Passport and visa fees for official foreign travels.

Visa fees - Only in situation where visa fees are not paid by foreign Government or
institute for official foreign travels, the visa fees incurred by the officers shall be
reimbursed.

Passport charges-An expense for obtaining passport of the officer inclusive of only
renewals shall be reimbursed. When a passport is obtained on one day service, only the
charges for obtaining a passport in normal procedure shall be reimbursed.

(b) Insurance Charges

When an officer travel abroad for a purpose indicated above is not provided an insurance
cover by the foreign Government of Donor Agency for the period of foreign travel. Dui
insurance cover not exceeding the limit of Rs. 2,400.000 .00 shall he obtained through
his/her Head of the Institute.

The other expenses are to be arranged as per circulars issued by the Ministry of Finance.