The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an amendment to the pension-related clauses included in the appointment letters of public officers recruited on or after 1 January 2016, formally securing their pension entitlements under the existing pension framework.
Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that the approval was granted to a proposal submitted by the Prime Minister in her capacity as Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government.
Background
Under a proposal presented in the 2016 Budget, the government had planned to introduce a contributory pension scheme for newly recruited public officers. Accordingly, appointment letters issued to officers recruited after 1 January 2016 included a conditional clause stating that while the appointment was pensionable, the officer would be subject to a future government policy decision regarding the applicable pension scheme.
However, since no contributory pension scheme has been implemented for these officers to date, uncertainty remained regarding their pension status. Addressing this issue, the 2026 Budget proposed confirming their eligibility under the existing pension scheme.
The Amendment
In line with the Cabinet decision, the relevant clause in the appointment letters of all public officers recruited after 1 January 2016 will be amended to clearly affirm their pension rights and their mandatory contribution to the Widows’/Widowers’ and Orphans’ Pension (W&OP) Scheme.
The revised clause will state:
“This appointment is pensionable. Furthermore, you must contribute to the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Scheme / Widowers’ and Orphans’ Pension Scheme. You must pay contributions for this as determined by the Government from time to time.”
The Ministry of Public Administration is expected to issue the necessary circular instructions to implement this amendment with immediate effect.
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