The government has decided to grant special leave to public officials who were unable to report for duty due to floods, landslides, and road blockages.

The relevant circular was issued yesterday (16) by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, addressed to all ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, and heads of departments.

Accordingly, officials who were unable to report for duty due to the Ditwah cyclone, suspension of public transport services from their place of residence to their workplace, road blockages, or being affected by disasters, are entitled to this special leave.

To obtain this special leave, officials must submit a request to the head of their institution, endorsed by the Grama Niladhari of their area and certified by the Divisional Secretary, stating the reason for their inability to report for duty.

The institution head must examine the request certified by the Divisional Secretary, and only if personally satisfied with its accuracy, forward it to the department head for approval of the number of days of special leave.

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government has further announced that this special leave should be granted only for the months of November and December. (Newswire)

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All leave for employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been cancelled with immediate effect until further notice.

This was formally communicated in writing by the General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

On Sunday (21 Sept.), a special gazette notification was issued, declaring all services related to electricity supply as essential services under presidential directive.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed this declaration under the powers vested in him by Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979.

The gazette was issued in consideration of the fact that these services are vital for maintaining normal public life and that any disruption or obstruction to them could have serious consequences.

The cancellation of leave and declaration of services related to electricity supply as essential services comes in the backdrop of the ongoing trade union action by electricity workers.

CEB employees have been engaged in a trade union action over the past few days to protest the government’s decision to restructure the CEB, dividing it into four key entities. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has announced the mandatory leave to be granted for private sector employees to cast their ballots in the 2025 Local Government Election.

According to the Election Commission, leave for the Local Government Election must be granted as special leave and should not impact their private leave. 

Private sector employees are to be granted ½ day leave for travel up to a distance of 40 kilometres and one day leave for a distance of 40-100 kilometres.

Leave of 1 ½ days is to be granted for travel between 100-150 kilometres, and two days for a distance above 200 kilometres.

The Election Commission states that three days’ leave could be granted on occasions where it is necessary to travel from the workplace to the polling booth and return. 

The upcoming Local Government Election is scheduled for 06 May 2025. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Public Administration has issued guidelines to be followed when approving domestic and foreign unpaid leave for public officials.

As per a special notice issued to all District Secretaries, unpaid leave for public officials is to be granted without affecting their pension entitlements.

According to the Ministry, it has been found that some officials had applied for domestic leave for up to five years and had also applied for foreign leave without properly cancelling their prior domestic leave.

The new guidelines make it mandatory for applications for foreign leave to include a comprehensive review of the applicant’s leave history.

District Secretaries are also tasked with verifying and documenting details of previously obtained domestic and foreign leave in the cover letters accompanying the applications.

The new guidelines aim to address irregularities observed in the leave approval process and ensure compliance with the Public Administration Circular dated June 22, 2022. (Newswire)

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All private-sector companies have been informed that it is mandatory to grant leave for employees to cast their votes in the 2024 General Election which will be held tomorrow. 

They have been informed via a circular issued by the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, Local Government, and Labour. 

As per the circular, all private companies must grant leave for employees, who have made a written request, to cast their votes with the leave being considered special leave with pay.

The period of leave is to be decided based on the distance the employee is required to travel. 

Private companies are warned that any violation will result in legal action for failure to comply with the regulations. 

The 2024 Parliamentary Election will be held from 07.00 am to 04.00 pm tomorrow (14 Nov). (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has issued guidelines to be followed by employers and employees when applying for leave in view of the 2024 General Election.

As per the guidelines, public and private sector employees are advised to request leave through a written request. 

Employers are advised to grant leave for requested employees, with the leave being treated as special leave with pay.

The special leave should be granted for a minimum of four hours or based on the distance required to travel. 

The Election Commission warns that any person who fails to comply with the regulations if convicted before a Magistrate, is liable for a fine not exceeding Rs. 200,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months. (Newswire)

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The leave of all Postal employees has been suspended with immediate effect in anticipation of the 2024 Presidential Election, the Deputy Postmaster General announced today. 

Accordingly, the leave of all Postal workers has been suspended until the conclusion of the Presidential polls. 

A total of 712,321 persons are eligible for postal voting in the 2024 Presidential Election, scheduled for September 21. 

Postal voting for the upcoming Presidential Polls will be conducted on 04, 05, and 06 September, while postal ballots are to be issued on 26 August.

Meanwhile, 11 and 12 September have been allocated as additional dates for those unable to cast their postal votes. 

Postal voting for military personnel and government employees will be conducted on 05 and 06 September and postal voting for employees of district secretariats, election offices and Police will be conducted on 04 September. (Newswire)

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