PSC approves new Service Minute of SLEAS after 13 years

The new Minute of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service (SLEAS) was approved by the Public Service Commission last week, considerably reducing the eligibility period of SLEAS officers for promotions.

According to the new Minute published on its website on July 17, all Class III officers will have to serve 7 years in the Grade to be eligible for promotion to Class II, and 13 years for Class I. Earlier, the eligibility criteria for promotions was 10 years and 15 years, respectively.

SLEAS officers said this would mean quicker promotions and less political victimization, while Zonal Director positions will be filled by Class I and Class II officers from the general cadre. A recent Zonal Director appointment in the Eastern Province (EP), from the special cadre grade, caused much displeasure among Class I and II SLEAS officers in the area, awaiting promotions.

EP SLEAS Union Convenor, M.L.M. Mukthar said this is a great victory for the SLEAS officers who were long suffering for the lack of a service Minute as a guideline for promotions.

Service Minute for the SLEAS was last released in 2002, and the officers’ salary structure revised in 2006. He charged that, while the other 8 parallel services have their Service Minutes released regularly, the SLEAS Minute has been delayed for nearly 13 years.

The SLEAS Union now calls on the Education Ministry to act on the Minute and implement it early. “It has to be gazetted for implementation,” Mr Mukthar said.

Education Times of July 12, 2015, exposed the delay in releasing the SLEAS Minute for 2015.

The Education Ministry is calling for applications from National school teachers desirous of their annual transfers for 2016.

The Ministry said specimen forms and instructions have been forwarded to National school principals. Completed applications should be sent via registered post to: The Director, National School, Teacher Transfer Unit, Isurupaya, Battaramulla, on or before September 11.

A Teacher- Transfer Board will review the applications and recommend transfers by December 2015. For further details contact 011-2 784 434.