The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued Circular No. 11/2026, introducing a new mechanism to grant permanent appointments to thousands of public sector employees, currently serving on non-permanent terms.
The circular, which has been forwarded to Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Heads of Departments, and heads of state corporations and statutory boards, sets out a framework to regularise employees recruited on temporary, casual (daily wage), substitute, contract, or relief bases.
The move is aimed at strengthening job security and formalising service conditions across the public sector, covering staff attached to ministries, departments, and statutory institutions.
According to officials, eligibility for permanent appointments will be determined, based on several criteria, including length of service, performance evaluations, and the availability of vacancies within respective institutions. Authorities have been instructed to identify qualifying employees and submit the necessary documentation to facilitate the confirmation process.
The initiative is also expected to address long-standing concerns among public sector workers over job stability and irregular employment status.
Speaking at a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the decision is expected to enable approximately 9,800 employees to secure permanent appointments.
The programme aligns with provisions outlined in the 2026 Budget, which called for a structured approach to absorb non-permanent public sector workers into the formal workforce, including those whose appointments remain unregularised, despite previously receiving approval under earlier circulars.