The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued a circular to stop approving domestic and foreign unpaid leave for public officials with immediate effect.
This circular, which has been issued under the signature of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara, states that this step is being taken based on a decision taken at the Cabinet meeting held on the 24th.
Accordingly, the Secretary to the Ministry, all Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries and Heads of Departments have been informed through the relevant circular that the acceptance of new leave applications or leave extension applications should be stopped with immediate effect.
A Public Administration Circular was issued with effect from 22nd June 2022, allowing public servants to take unpaid leave for a maximum of 5 years, both domestic and foreign, without prejudice to seniority and pension.
However, following a decision by the Cabinet, steps have been taken to stop the approval of domestic and foreign leave under the provisions of the said circular with immediate effect, and officers currently on domestic and foreign leave will be able to take that leave only for the period approved.
The circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration states that officers who have received approval for leave and are looking forward to taking that leave will be able to take the leave for the period approved.
