PA Circular 11/2026 – Permanent Appointments for Temporary & Contract Government Staff
Permanent Appointments for Temporary & Contract Government Employees — PA Circular 11/2026
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued Public Administration Circular No. 11/2026 on 30 April 2026. This landmark circular, backed by the Budget 2026 proposal and a Cabinet of Ministers decision, directs all government institutions to regularise the service of eligible temporary and contract employees by granting them permanent appointments.
At a Glance
Who is Covered?
This circular applies to public sector employees currently serving or who have served in any of the following categories:
Eligibility Conditions
- Must have completed 180 continuous working days of satisfactory service as of 01 September 2019. Formal leave days and public holidays do not constitute a service break.
- Must have satisfied the prescribed qualifications for the relevant post as per PA Circular 29/2019 (which revived Circulars 25/2014 and 25/2014(I)).
- Must belong to the Service Categories specified in PA Circular 25/2014 and must currently be continuously engaged in the same post and the same institution within the same salary scale.
- Permanent appointments will be granted only if vacancies exist in the approved permanent cadre on the date this circular is issued. Where no vacancy exists, the appointment is made personal to the holder.
How the Process Works
Head of Institution Identifies Eligible Employees
Each institution's head reviews staff to identify those who meet the eligibility criteria as of 01.09.2019.
Particulars Submitted Using Annex 01 & 02
Institutional heads submit employee details and cadre information to the Director General of Management Services for approval.
Permanent Appointment Letter Issued
Formal appointment letters are issued as per Sections 89 and 90 of the Procedural Rules. The period from 01.09.2019 to the date of appointment is treated as the probation period.
Service Confirmation Within One Year
Since employees are already in active service, service confirmation must be granted within one year from the date of this circular (by 30 April 2027).
Salary & Leave Revised
Salaries and leave entitlements are revised to correspond with a permanent appointment effective 01.09.2019. No arrears will be paid for the back-dated period.
Key Points to Know
- If no vacancy exists in the permanent cadre, the appointment is made personal to the holder — the post is abolished when it becomes vacant through promotion, retirement, resignation, or other reasons.
- No new recruitment will be made to personal-to-holder posts; instead, excess employees will be adjusted into vacancies with the Director General's approval.
- Heads of institutions must arrange training courses to help employees satisfy educational qualifications for service confirmation.
- The Director General of Combined Services handles appointments for posts in the Combined Services Primary Category.
- This circular is issued with the concurrence of the General Treasury.
Important Notes
- No permanent appointment will be granted to any person who is otherwise unsuitable for government employment, even if technically eligible.
- Going forward, no temporary or contract recruitment may be made outside the approved Scheme of Recruitment. Heads of Institutions bear personal responsibility for any such irregular recruitment.
- Employees granted permanent appointments irregularly (before PA Circular 29/2019 and above 45 years of age) will be converted to Public Service Provident Fund appointments with benefits adjusted accordingly.
- The salary back-pay for the period from 01.09.2019 to the date of permanent appointment will not be paid — only future salary and leave are revised.
Issued by: Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government
Date: 30 April 2026
Contact: 011-2696478 | Email: ad-2-est@pubad.gov.lk
Are You an Eligible Government Employee?
Speak to the Head of your institution or your HR division to check if you qualify under PA Circular 11/2026.
📧 Contact the Ministry
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