November 11, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Government has announced plans to grant permanent appointments to approximately 10,000 non-permanent employees serving in various state departments and public corporations, Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament yesterday (10).
Speaking in response to a question from Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) MP Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, the Minister outlined that the move is part of broader efforts to provide job security for long-serving temporary staff across multiple sectors.
Minister Ratnayake highlighted that while certain posts, such as railway crossing guards, will see an increase in allowances—from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000—the Government recognises that improving safety at railway crossings requires a comprehensive, long-term strategy rather than a financial adjustment alone.
Regarding permanent appointments, the Minister noted that eligibility will require basic educational qualifications at the time of recruitment, such as sitting the GCE Ordinary Level Examination for positions at the Road Development Authority and for railway crossing guards.
He clarified that this criterion may limit the ability to make every non-permanent worker permanent, but the overarching initiative aims to secure the status of roughly 10,000 staff.
“So far, 700 employees at the RDA have already been granted permanent status, with a further 300 in line,” Minister Ratnayake stated. He added that the Government is prioritising permanent appointments particularly for temporary and non-permanent staff within state institutions and corporations, signalling a significant policy step towards stabilising public sector employment.
