Cabinet Approves Festival Advance Hike For Public Servants

COLOMBO (News 1st); The government has approved an increase in the festival advance paid to public sector employees, raising the amount from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced.

Under the Establishment Code provisions, the festival advance is available to eligible officers for major religious observances and pilgrimages, including Thai Pongal, Ramadan, Sinhala & Hindu New Year, Vesak, Deepavali, Christmas, and Sri Pada and Hajj pilgrimages.

The facility remains interest‑free and recoverable in up to eight monthly installments, with the option of settling earlier on request.
Dr. Jayatissa noted that the adjustment stems from a proposal in the 2026 Budget, and Cabinet has authorized:

Amending the relevant clauses of the Establishment Code to enable the higher amount; and
Issuing an implementing circular, through the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, to operationalize the increase across the service.