Pensions for officers recruited to the public service since 2016

A circular has been issued regarding the granting of pension entitlements to officers recruited to the public service on or after January 1, 2016. According to the circular issued by Mr. S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, the appointment letters of all officers recruited to the public service on or after January 1, 2016, will be amended.

Accordingly, it is stated that those appointment letters will be amended to include: “This appointment is pensionable. Furthermore, you must contribute to the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Scheme and the Widowers' and Orphans' Pension Scheme. You must pay contributions for this as prescribed by the government from time to time.”

In addition, the circular states that pension entitlements will also be granted in the appointment letters of officers recruited to the public service in the future. The circular from the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government also states that this step is being taken with the approval of the Cabinet, in accordance with a budget proposal for the year 2026. The appointment letters of officers recruited to the public service on or after January 1, 2016, previously stated that they were entitled to a contributory pension.