NRFC a must for public officers obtaining no pay leave for foreign employment

Public officers are now able to obtain leave with no pay to be spent out of Sri Lanka subjected to a total period of five (05) years maximum.

A circular on ‘granting leave with no pay to be spent in or out of the island to public officers without causing any prejudice to the seniority and pension’ was issued today by M.M.P.K. Mayadunne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration. 

Every officer who goes abroad as per the provisions of this circular is required to formally remit money in the following manner through the Sri Lankan banking system to a Non-Resident Foreign Currency Account (NRFC) opened in his or her own name.

 (i) Officers of the Primary Service Category - Monthly USD 100 

(ii) Officers of the Secondary Service Category - Monthly USD 200

 (iii) Officers of the Tertiary Service Category - Monthly USD 300 

(iv) Officers of the Executive Service Category - Monthly USD 500 

“When the officer is employed abroad, the above amount or 25% of the salary earned from the employment can be remitted. A concessionary period of two months from the date of departure shall be given for the remittance and remittances must be made from the third month onwards,” the Ministry Secretary said.

The circular also said that action should be taken to remit in foreign currency the contribution to the Widows’ /Widowers’ and Orphans’ Pension fund to the Director General of Pensions, which is applicable to the basic salary entitled to the day before the date of approval for leave, where the officer is out of the island.

An officer who goes abroad for employment should settle all the loans he has obtained before his leave is approved.

"It will be considered to discuss with the Treasury the possibility of introducing an alternative methodology for this and to make the necessary provisions in the future," the circular said.

Public officers below the age of 35 are also able to obtain leave with no pay to be spent in or out of Sri Lanka subject to a maximum of one year to develop their IT skills, knowledge of English or any other language / languages, or to complete a vocational training programme at a recognized institution.