Call to Increase Risk Allowance for Officials Serving in Delft Island

A request has been made to increase the risk allowance provided to government officials serving in the remote island region of Delft, citing current economic challenges and the need to better support public servants working under difficult conditions.

The appeal was put forward by Northern Province Governor Na. Vethanayahan during a special discussion held on Friday(24) evening at the Governor’s Secretariat. The meeting took place between the Governor and Ashoka Peiris, Advisor to the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Professor Chandana Abeyratne, and a former senior administrative officer.

At present, officials serving in Delft Island receive a monthly risk allowance of Rs. 5,000, approved by the Ministry of Public Administration. However, Governor Vethanayagan emphasized that this amount is insufficient given the prevailing economic conditions and should be increased.

He further highlighted that similar allowances should also be extended to public servants working in other offshore islands, including Eluvaitivu, Analaitivu, and Nainativu, where employees face comparable challenges.

The Governor also raised concerns regarding transfer issues affecting development officers. He noted that many central government employees originally from the Jaffna District have been serving in other districts for extended periods but have been unable to secure transfers back to their home district. He urged that necessary steps be taken to facilitate these transfers.

Additionally, the Governor stressed the urgency of filling long-standing vacancies in key public service sectors in the Northern Province, including the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, Sri Lanka Planning Service, and Sri Lanka Engineering Service.

Responding to the concerns, Advisor Ashoka Peiris assured that he would discuss these matters in detail with the Ministry Secretary and the Minister, and take steps to secure favorable solutions.

The meeting was also attended by Governor’s Secretary Sivapathasundaram Sathiyaseelan, Liaison Officer to the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee S. Kapilan, and the Governor’s Private Secretary S. Sreevakeesan.

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