The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued a special circular directing that annual transfer decisions relating to officers in the composite services be implemented strictly and without delay.
The circular emphasizes that once transfer decisions are finalized, no authority has the power to withhold, amend, postpone, or suspend them.
The instructions were issued by Director General of Composite Services N.U. Nishan Mendis with the approval of the Public Service Commission.
According to the Ministry, the decision follows numerous complaints received from ministries, departments, district secretariats, divisional secretariats, and officers regarding delays and failures in implementing annual transfers.
The circular notes that the annual transfer process is conducted according to procedures approved by the Public Service Commission and is intended to:
- Provide officers with opportunities to serve in different institutions
- Address service requirements across the public sector
- Improve staff motivation and workforce distribution
However, authorities noted several recurring issues affecting the transfer process, including:
- Submission of incorrect information regarding officers’ current and previous workplaces
- Incorrect selection of preferred transfer locations
- Failure to report officers on maternity leave or unpaid leave
According to the circular, these shortcomings have affected staffing arrangements in several institutions.
Several key instructions have also been highlighted:
- Officers dissatisfied with transfer decisions must submit appeals through the prescribed online process to the relevant review committees
- Further appeals can be made to the Public Service Commission and subsequently to the Administrative Appeals Board under the Administrative Appeals Board Act No. 04 of 2002
- Transfer orders must still be implemented while appeals are under consideration
- Heads of institutions do not have authority to delay or suspend transfer decisions
- Delaying transfers until replacement officers arrive will not be accepted as a valid reason
- Officers bypassing institutional procedures when appealing may face disciplinary action
- Attempts to influence decisions through external parties may also be treated as misconduct
The Ministry has instructed all Heads of Institutions and composite service officers to fully comply with the circular to ensure that annual transfers are implemented in line with public service regulations and administrative standards.
