By: Isuru Parakrama
November 03, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has announced a comprehensive leave policy for public and private sector employees, ensuring they can participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections without losing income or using personal leave.
In line with paragraph 12.3 of Chapter XII of the Establishments Code under “Special Leave of Public Officers,” all public sector employees are entitled to at least four hours of leave to cast their votes, with this time off granted as paid special leave.
Private sector employees are also guaranteed voting leave, arranged through coordination between the Election Commission and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).
This provision ensures private employees can vote without a deduction in salary or personal leave, mirroring the public sector arrangement.
To address the varying distances some employees may need to travel to polling stations, the Election Commission has implemented a distance-based leave system for private sector employees:
- For distances up to 40 kilometres: half-day leave
- For distances of 40–100 kilometres: one full day’s leave
- For distances of 100–150 kilometres: one and a half days’ leave
- For distances exceeding 150 kilometres: two full days’ leave
Employees must submit a written request for leave to their employers, who in turn are required to display a list of all employees taking special leave for voting, along with the duration of leave granted.
