The Sri Lankan government has released an important circular regarding permanent appointments Sri Lanka 2026 for temporary, casual, contract, and relief employees working in the public sector.
This decision comes under the Budget 2026 proposals, giving hope to thousands of government workers who are currently working without permanent status.
In this article, we explain everything clearly in simple English so everyone can understand.
Circular No. 11/2026 in Tamil, Sinhala and English
What is this Circular About?
The Public Administration Circular No. 11/2026, issued on 30 April 2026, confirms that:
👉 The government has decided to grant permanent appointments to eligible employees who are currently working on:
- Temporary basis
- Casual (daily wage) basis
- Contract basis
- Substitute basis
- Relief basis
This decision was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 27 April 2026.
Main Objective
The main goal of this circular is:
✔ To provide job security to long-serving employees
✔ To regularize employees who already qualify
✔ To correct past issues where appointments were not properly formalized
Who is Eligible for Permanent Appointment?
To qualify, employees must meet ALL the following conditions:
1. Service Requirement
- Must have completed at least 180 working days
- Service should be continuous and satisfactory
- Must be completed before 01 September 2019
2. Required Qualifications
- Must meet the qualifications mentioned in:
- Public Administration Circular 29/2019
- Circulars 25/2014 and 25/2014(I)
3. Same Position Requirement
- Must still be working:
- In the same post
- In the same institution
- Under the same salary scale
4. Vacancy Requirement
- Permanent appointment will be granted only if vacancies are available
👉 If no vacancy:
- The position will be treated as a “personal position”
- It will be removed after the employee leaves (retirement, resignation, etc.)
Effective Date of Permanent Appointment
The permanent appointment will be effective from 01 September 2019
However:
❗ No back salary (arrears) will be paid
Salary & Benefits Changes
After receiving permanent status:
- Salary will be adjusted according to permanent scale
- Leave entitlements will be updated
- Employees will receive benefits of permanent staff
Training & Qualification Support
If employees do not fully meet education requirements:
✔ Institutions must provide training programs
✔ Employees will be supported to complete qualifications
Confirmation of Service
- Employees must be confirmed within 1 year
- Their previous service period (from 01.09.2019) will be considered as probation period
Special Cases Explained
1. Already Permanently Appointed Employees
If employees were given permanent jobs earlier (but not properly):
✔ Their appointments will now be formally accepted
2. Employees Above Age Limit (45 Years)
- If they were appointed despite age limits:
- Their service will be converted to Provident Fund scheme (not pension)
If already retired:
- They will receive a lump sum payment
Who Will NOT Get Permanent Status?
Even if conditions are met:
❌ Anyone unsuitable for government service
❌ Anyone recruited outside approved procedures
New Recruitment Rules
The government has strictly stated:
🚫 No more hiring without proper qualifications
🚫 No hiring outside approved staff limits
If violated:
- The appointing authority will be responsible
Responsibilities of Institutions
Government institutions must:
- Submit employee details using Annex 01 & 02 formats
- Get approval from the Director General of Management Services
- Manage excess staff by transferring them where needed
Why This is Important
This circular is a major step for public sector employees in Sri Lanka because:
- Thousands will receive job security
- Long-term workers finally get recognition
- Improper past recruitments are corrected