The Government of Sri Lanka has announced a comprehensive set of revisions to public sector salaries, sector-specific allowances, and pensions. Aimed at addressing the rising cost of living and operational expenses, these budget proposals outline significant financial relief for government employees and pensioners across multiple sectors.
A major highlight is the final implementation phase of the Rs. 15,750 basic salary increase (initially proposed in the 2025 budget), which will take effect in 2027 with a massive Rs. 110 billion allocation.
Below is the complete breakdown of the newly proposed allowance and pension revisions for Sri Lankan public servants.
Executive & Administrative Officers
- Transport Allowance: Increased by 100%, moving from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 100,000 for executive officers utilizing personal vehicles for official duties.
- EV Incentive: To promote green energy, executive officers using fully electric personal vehicles will receive a 150% allowance increase, effective July 2027.
Health Sector Allowances
Note: Payments for the health sector are staggered—50% will be paid in July 2027, and the remaining 50% in 2028.
- Medical Officers: The Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance is increased by Rs. 25,000, bringing the total from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 95,000.
- Nursing & Paramedical Staff: The special duty allowance is doubled from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 12,000.
- Other Health Staff: The special duty allowance is doubled from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000.
Higher Education & Vocational Training
- University Academic Staff: The monthly academic allowance sees a hike of Rs. 25,000 (staggered: 50% in July 2027, 50% in July 2028).
- Visiting Lecturers: The hourly payment rate is tripled from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 4,500.
- Practical Instructors: The hourly rate is tripled from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,800.
- Vocational/Tech Visiting Lecturers: Hourly payments have been increased by 100%.
Defense, Police & Prison Officers
Effective from July 2027:
- Armed Forces: The daily food allowance is increased by Rs. 315 for officers and Rs. 332 for other ranks.
- Sri Lanka Police: The monthly food and lodging allowance is increased by Rs. 10,000.
- Prison Officers: The monthly risk allowance is doubled from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 16,000. Civil staff allowances within the department are increased from Rs. 2,250 to Rs. 10,000.
Grama Niladharis & Field Officers
Effective from April 2027:
- Grama Niladharis: Monthly travel allowances are increased to Rs. 4,000. Office rent allowances are raised to Rs. 6,000 (Urban) and Rs. 4,000 (Pradeshiya Sabha).
- Other Field Officers: Development Officers, Samurdhi Officers, and Agricultural Assistants will receive corresponding increases to both monthly travel and office rent allowances across all local government tiers.
Judiciary & Legal Departments
- Judges & Judicial Officers: Professional allowances are increased by Rs. 25,000 (staggered across 2027 and 2028). Effective July 2027, transport allowances increase by Rs. 50,000, driver allowances double to Rs. 50,000, and housing allowances increase by 100%. Support staff allowances will increase starting April 2027.
- Attorney General’s & Legal Draftsman’s Departments: Non-practice/Special allowances are increased by Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 based on grade (staggered). Transport, driver, and housing allowances will increase parallel to the judiciary.
Commissions & Statutory Boards
Monthly allowances for Chairmen, Members, and Executive Directors of Independent Commissions, Statutory Boards, and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) will be revised upward effective July 2027.
Sri Lanka Public Sector Pension Revisions
- Pre-2020 Retirees: The final phase of adjusting pre-2020 pensions to align with the 2020 base salary structure will be fully completed in 2027.
- 2020-2024 Retirees: To bridge the gap created by the upcoming 2025 salary structure, public servants who retired between 2020 and 2024 will receive an interim monthly allowance of Rs. 2,500 starting July 1, 2027. This relief will continue until a comprehensive pension revision is phased in, beginning with the 2028 budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the Rs. 15,750 basic salary increase be fully implemented?
The final phase of the Rs. 15,750 basic salary increase for Sri Lankan public sector employees will be implemented in 2027, utilizing a budget allocation of Rs. 110 billion.
What are the new DAT allowance rates for Medical Officers?
The Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance for medical officers is being increased by Rs. 25,000, raising the total from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 95,000. This will be paid in two phases: 50% in July 2027 and 50% in 2028.
Do government executive officers get an EV (Electric Vehicle) allowance?
Yes. Executive officers who use fully electric personal vehicles for official duties will receive a 150% increase in their transport allowance to encourage green energy adoption, effective July 2027.
What relief is available for recently retired public servants?
Public servants who retired between 2020 and 2024 will receive an interim monthly allowance of Rs. 2,500 starting from July 1, 2027. This will bridge the gap until the new pension structure is rolled out in the 2028 budget.
