The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to grant permanent appointments to approximately 9,800 employees currently serving in state institutions under temporary, irregular (daily), substitute, contract, or relief basis.

The proposal, presented through Budget Proposal No. 33.11 of the 2026 Budget, takes into account the large number of such employees engaged in the public service, provincial public service, state corporations, statutory boards, and other institutions.

Accordingly, a circular outlining the procedures for granting permanent appointments will be issued. 

The joint proposal, submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, together with the Minister of Public Administration, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Finance has announced that fuel allowances provided to ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament, government officials, and other categories will now be calculated based on the fuel price prevailing on March 1, 2026.

In a statement, the Ministry said the decision was taken by the Cabinet as part of broader measures to manage state expenditure amidst the ongoing energy crisis and fiscal constraints. 

The directive also applies to other allowances linked to fuel quantities, which must be recalculated using the same benchmark price.

Officials emphasized that departments and institutions must act in line with existing circulars and guidelines, ensuring that fuel allocations and allowances are managed under the revised rules.

The Ministry noted that these adjustments are aimed at balancing financial limits while safeguarding essential public services during a period of economic pressure. (Newswire)

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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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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says that the aim of the government is to establish an independent and efficient public service that properly serves the people.

The Prime Minister invited newly appointed officers to come forward in developing the nation through a dedicated and efficient public service.

“Today, public officers have been given the opportunity to act independently. None of our government representatives interfere in the public service. However, we have received reports of certain officials misusing this independence. It was because fraud, corruption, and injustice had spread alarmingly throughout the country that the people elected this government. Therefore, any form of malpractice, fraud, or corruption will no longer be tolerated. I remind you that if such incidents are reported, the government will take the maximum possible action. As honest officials and citizens, you have the right to stand against such fraud, corruption, and irregularities. For the prosperous country and better life that the people expect, not only the government but you, as public officers, must also commit yourselves fully,” she said.

PM Amarasuriya made these remarks while attending the ceremony to award appointments to 1,890 officers who were selected from the open competitive examination and subsequent interviews for recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Management Service.

“I wish to remind you that you are not joining a traditional public service. You are not entering the inefficient, politically-influenced public service that has prevailed for years, but rather an independent service that stands on behalf of the people.

“You know that although this examination was scheduled to be held in November 2020, it was delayed for four years due to restrictions on open recruitment to the public service. Currently, there are about 5,000 vacancies in the Management Service. This examination was conducted following the Cabinet decision to fill 2,223 vacancies in the Management Service. Accordingly, today nearly 1,890 new officers are joining the public service,” she said.

PM Harini Amarasuriya pointed out that recruitment was based strictly on district quotas allocated according to the 2020 district population ratio of Sri Lanka and the candidates who scored the highest marks at the written examination were selected in proper order of merit and were interviewed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government with complete transparency.

“Cabinet approval has also been granted to recruit the remaining officers. The government is committed to establishing an efficient and independent public service instead of a conventional practice. Especially through a digitized public service, our aim is to deliver services to the people swiftly and to ensure a more people-sensitive public administration,” she said.

PM Harini Amarasuriya further invited the newly appointed officers to join the task of developing the nation through a dedicated and efficient public service. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Labour has introduced a new hotline to address issues of employees of the public and private sectors. 

Through the new WhatsApp number 070 7227877, the Ministry hopes to promptly address service-related issues faced by private and state employees.

The Ministry also hopes to speed up responses by it and the Labour Department to the issues raised.

The Labour Ministry has made arrangements to receive complaints via the new WhatsApp number. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said that subject Minister Sunil Handuneththi has delivered a clear message on the importance of eradicating corruption within state institutions.

Abeysinghe made these comments after accompanying Minister Handuneththi to visit several state institutions on Thursday.

Drawing from his experience as the former President of COPE, Handunnetti stressed that no institution under his purview should provide grounds for scrutiny, according to Abeysinghe.

“It was a key message delivered that nobody should allow any form of corruption because he (Handuneththi) himself was the President of the COPE and there should not be any opportunity for the Minister to be summoned at the COPE in any of the institutions under him,” Abeysinghe said.

Stating that state institutions were key to transforming Sri Lanka into an export oriented production economy, Abeysinghe said that state service has been deteriorated because the benefits of success have never been transferred to the people who work in such institutions.

“There is no passion, there is no motivation for people to do more because their income levels are stuck in a standard way. But for institutions which are doing business, has the ability to improve the business and make more profits, which in turn will allow a private sector equivalent benefits and salaries,” he said.

Sri Lanka must be able to convert SOEs and Government Institutions where people will be willing to apply and the best talent would long to join the Government Service, Abeysinghe said.

“And the fact that there has never been a vision from political leadership for transformation and growth.”

During this visit, the Minister had urged employees to take pride in their work, improve their organizations, and inspire the next generation to join these sectors.

Deputy Minister Abeysinghe described the Minister’s message as a much-needed motivational boost for state employees. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission says the government’s recent announcements on increments to salaries and allowances of public services do not affect the ongoing postal voting process. 

Addressing the media, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Ratnayake said that the Parliament is vested with powers to make decisions related to state finances. 

Saman Ratnayake pointed out that the current proposals on salary hikes are included in the Budget 2025 and are not immediate decisions being implemented.  

He further said that even though proposals are made to increase salaries, they have to be presented to Parliament and thereafter approved by Parliament. 

Responding to questions if the recent developments could potentially influence voters, Ratnayake said that government employees are well aware of the electoral process. 

Ratnayake called on all parties to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines, stressing that their actions must not sway or influence voters in any manner. “It is the responsibility of all parties to ensure an environment to conduct a free and fair election,” he said.

The Commissioner General of Elections’ comments come after concerns were raised by various parties, including election monitoring bodies, over the government’s announcement that public service salaries and allowances will be increased with effect from January 1, 2025.

The government yesterday announced that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the final report of the Presidential Expert Committee appointed to make recommendations related to the salaries and allowances of public services.

Various parties argue that the announcement is a violation of election laws, as the proposals were being made under the government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a Presidential candidate, ahead of the Presidential polls. (Newswire)

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The government has decided to provide the proposed Rs. 10,000 salary increment for state employees in April this year.

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said steps are being taken to credit the increased salary before the 10th of April.

Speaking to the media, the State Minister said that initially, the government paid Rs. 5000 as part of the proposed salary hike. 

He further said that however, the government will now pay the entire amount of Rs. 10,000 by including it in the April remuneration. 

State Minister Siyambalapitiya added that they hope to provide the increased salary and pensions before April 10. (NewsWire)

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A protest has been planned in front of all state-related institutions today (Nov 27) over several demands, including an increase in state salaries.

The protest has been planned by several state trade unions, including the State and Provincial Government Services Union and will be carried out for an hour by state employees during their lunch break starting at 12.00 pm.

State employees are demanding an Rs. 20,000 increase in salaries, for the increment to be implemented from January next year, and to reinstate the revoked full pension entitlement.

The planned protest will be held in front of all state institutions at noon today, with the main protest being planned in front of the Sethsiripaya building in Battaramulla. (NewsWire)

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