Special leave granted to public officers affected by “Ditwah” cyclone in November

Colombo, Dec. 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has announced the granting of special leave to public officers who were unable to report for duty in November 2025 due to the impacts of the “Ditwah” cyclonic storm.

The storm, which affected all administrative districts of the island, caused severe floods, earth slips, strong winds, and widespread disruption to public transport services. Officers who were unable to reach their workplaces due to transport breakdowns, road obstructions, or being displaced by the disaster are eligible for the concession.

Public officers seeking special leave must submit a request detailing the reasons for their absence, recommended by their local Grama Niladhari and certified by the Divisional Secretary. The request will then be examined by the respective Head of the Institution and forwarded to the Head of the Department for approval. Special leave will be granted only for the days when officers were unable to report for duty due to circumstances beyond their control.

The Ministry highlighted that the details of the special leave will be recorded in institutional leave registers and will apply specifically to the months of November and December 2025.

The announcement was signed by S. Alokabandara, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.