Divisions

Introduction

The establishment of a public administration mechanism in line with the current economic and social requirements of Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the foremost and timely needs of this ministry. Hence, this division was established with a view to introducing reforms required for the proper management of human resources in the public service, which is one of the main responsibilities of the Public Administration Division of this ministry, developing information technology systems and online platforms for human resource management, reengineering processes in a way that minimizes unnecessary work steps and delays to replace the outdated methodologies currently being implemented, and making modifications and reforms required to create a public administration mechanism that suits the needs and trends of the future generation and the modern world through digitization.

It is expected to create the necessary programs to improve efficiency, productivity, transparency, accountability and people-centered decision-making ability to meet the current challenges of human resource management in the public service. The above goals are expected to be achieved by using new public management and digital – government methods.

Vision

“Achieving excellence in public service through innovation”

Mission

“Modifying the processes of the Ministry by way of digitizing, virtualizing and applying information technology tools and achieving goals through the introduction of new management methods and re-engineering processes with a view to achieve excellence in public service by modifying the public service.”

Objectives

Introduction of necessary changes for the efficient and effective delivery of public service.
Making the necessary modifications to increase job satisfaction.
Making the necessary changes to deliver an excellent service at a minimum cost.
Making the functions of the public service more convenient through a human resource management system
Increasing transparency in the public service through digitization and the use of information technology tools.
Introduction of easier work steps in the public service through the re-engineering of processes.
Creating a public service that suits the needs of the future generation and the modern world through modernization.

Functions

Preparing a strategic plan for digitization and virtualization of the functions of the ministry.
Development of an information technology system for human resource management in the public sector.
Establishment of a document management system in such a way that documents and information related to the ministry are easily accessible.
Preparing the programme for re-engineering the processes of ministries.

Contact Details

Miss.R.M.J.C. Ramanayake
Senior Assistant Secretary (Public Service Reforms)

Tel	:	+94 (Ext - )
Fax	:	+94
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Mrs. R.D.U.C.Weeraratne
Assistant Secretary (Public Service Reforms)

Tel	:	+94 (Ext - )
Fax	:	+94
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Introduction

The Planning Division has been established to plan the activities relevant to the role of planning assigned to the Ministry, prepare guidelines and strategies, plan, implement, direct and evaluate programs, projects as well as deliver related services.

Vision

"Ensure an efficient and excellent public service by productively utilizing the human resource."

Mission

" Properly planning, implementing and evaluating the tasks in relation to the scope of planning assigned to the Ministry."

" Planning and implementing the strategies and policies required to achieve the objectives of the Ministry."

Objectives

Implementing the planning strategies and guidelines appropriate to achieve the targets of creating an “excellent public service”.
Preparing strategic plans of the Ministry in a manner consistent with achieving the socio-economic development goals of the government.

Functions

Preparing the Action Plan and the Performance Reports of the Ministry.
Tasks related to the progress review of the Ministry.
Supervising the preparation of lessons learned and reorganization plan, progress reports, annual reports and annual estimates and making necessary arrangements to submit them to the Parliament on due time.
Preparing and updating a database required by the Ministry.
Providing necessary information to other divisions of the Ministry
Coordinating the implementation of projects, which are under the supervision of the Additional Secretary (Human Resource Development) as required and as per the instructions of the Secretary.
Reviewing and following-up the progress of foreign projects implemented by the Ministry.

Organization Structure

Contact Details

Mrs. S.K. Dayananda
Director (Planning)Attend to Duties

Tel	:	+94 11 2082485 (Ext - 130)
Fax	:	+94 11 2662301
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Mrs.E.A.C.U. Edirisinghe
Deputy/ Assistant Director (Planning)

Tel	:	+94 11 2689123 (Ext - 112)
Fax	:	+94 11 2662301
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Mr. S.M.P.K Senanayake
Deputy/ Assistant Director (Planning)

Tel	:	+94 11 2684158 (Ext - 115)
Fax	:	+94 11 2662301
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Planning Division

Tel	:	(Ext - 118)
Fax	:	+94 11 2662301

Contact Details

Mr. S. Weerasinghe
Additional Secretary (Public Service Reforms and Planning Division)

Tel	:	+94 11 2681329 (Ext - 119)
Fax	:	+94 11 2681329
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Constitution Provisions

The implementation of Official Language Policy (IOLP) has been enshrined in the chapter IV of the1978 constitution of the Democratic Social Republic of Sri Lanka. This also outlined in article 27(05, 06, 10) of chapter VI. Accordingly the Basic Law of the 1978 constitution have been amended by the 13th amendment in 1987 and 16 amendment in 1988 there by the importance of Right to Languages have been emphasized.

The Circumstance where the Language Right was protected as a Human Right has been reflected in Article 12(2) and 12(3) in the chapter III of the constitutions as follows;

“ The state shall provide adequate facilities for the use of the Languages provided for in this chapter. (Article 25)’’

Administrative Provisions

At the same time, the considerable number of government gazette notifications and circulars have been issued in order to regularize the effective IOLP throughout Sri Lanka.

Official Languages

Sinhala and Tamil shall be the Official Languages of Sri Lanka-Article 18(1) and 18(2) as amended by the 13th Amendment

National Languages

The National Languages of Sri Lanka shall be Sinhala and Tamil-Article 19

Link Languages

English shall be the Link Language – (Article 18(3) as amended by the 13th Amendment.

1978 constitution of Democratic Social Republic Sri Lanka

The supreme law regarding languages in Sri Lanka is stated in Chapter IV of the Constitution. The provisions therein have been amended through the 13th Amendment (1987) and 16th Amendment (1988). The Language Rights have been given priority in this chapter.

The circumstance where the Language Right were protected as a Human Right has been reflected in article 12(2) in chapter 111 of the constitutions as follows “No citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, Language, cast, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any one of such grounds ”This right is subject to the following special provisions in the constitutions.

“provided that it shall be lawful to require a person to acquire within a reasonable time sufficient knowledge of any language as a qualification for any employment or office in the public, judicial or Local Government Services or in the services of any public corporation, where such knowledge is reasonably necessary for the discharge of the duties of such employment or office:
Provided further that it shall be lawful to require a person to have a sufficient knowledge of any language as a qualification for any such employment or office where no function of that employment or office can be discharged otherwise than with a knowledge of the languages”

Further according to the constitution Article 12(3) of the constitution, “No person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, language, cast, sex or any one of such grounds, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to access to shop, public restaurants, hotels, places of public entertainment and places of public worship of his own religion.”

Background

The Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration (MNLSI) was created in 2010 under the extra ordinary Gazette Notification No 1651/20 dated 30th April 2010. In 2015,the Official Languages was fallen under the Ministry of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages under Extra ordinary Gazette Notification No 1945/40 dated 18thDecember 2015.In 2018 the mandate relating to National Languages came under the Ministry of National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages which was established by Extra Ordinary Gazette Notification No 2070/56 on 12th May 2018 and again amended as the Ministry of National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs and it was created under Extra Ordinary gazette Notification No 2103/33 dated 28th December 2018 with one of the mandates on Official Languages. In November 2019 the implementation of the Official Languages Policy(OLP) moved to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial and Local Government. In September 2020, the implementation of OLP came under Ministry of Public Service, Provincial Councils and Local Government. (National Languages Division) created under extra ordinary gazette Notification No2187/27 dated 9th August 2020.Presently, The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government (National Languages Division), which was created under the Extra ordinary Gazette Notification No 2281/41 dated 27th May 2022.

The National Languages Division (NLD) is functioning as one of the arm of the Ministry in aiming of effective implementation of Official Language Policy (OLP) for supporting towards the establishment of reconciliation among the community. The programs identified for effective implementation of Official Languages Policy are delivered in different layers and by different mechanisms.

The NLD is co-coordinating and working with the language institutions namely Department of Official Languages (DOL), Official Languages Commission(OLC) and National Institute for Language Education and Training (NILET). They are responsible for providing language capacity building services and empowering the service providers and citizens towards achieving capability for delivering and demanding services in bilingual/trilingual.

A hotline ‘1956’, the Call Centre and Language Centers at regional level provide necessary services and facilitation for delivering Language programs for the public officers and general public. In addition to the treasury supported Programmes, the Canadian Government and European Union (EU) supports by grant projects namely National Languages Equality Advancement Project (NLEAP) and Strengthening Reconciliation Process (SRP).

Vision

"Citizen received satisfactory services in terms of Official Language Policy in Sri Lanka"

Mission

"An accessible environment to create bilingualism in the service delivery for the satisfaction of general public in relation to the official languages policy"

Objectives

Planning, implementation and supervision of Official Languages Policy.
Build appropriate environment to create bilingualism in the government sector.
Empowerment of general public in relation to the Official Languages Policy.

Functions

Strengthening satisfied bilingual environment in Government institutions
Enhance capacity of public officers in the bilingual service delivery
Promote Official Languages Policy among general public
Recognition for government institutions on Official Languages Policy implementation
Monitoring and supervision on the implementation of Official Languages Policy in the government institutions.

Centers under the National Language Division

Call Centre 1956

The Call Centre was established on 28.11.2012 to receive complaints on the violation of Official Languages Policy. Also involve in trilingual translations and any other matters related to languages (languages courses, training Programmes, preparation of language plans language competency building exams, meaning of terms, correct letters for the words etc.). The hot line 1956 and social Media number 0702001956 for Viber, Whatsapp, Facebook and imo have been provided to send language problems to the Language Call Center.The OLC, DOL and NILET would coordinate with the call center also involve in this process and coordinating call center activities in this regard.

Language Provincial Centers in Kilinochchi and Batticaloa

Language Provincial Centres at Kilinochchiin the Northern Province and Batticaloa in the Eastern Province language centres facilitate to conduct programmes related to second language courses to the public officers. They improve systems and procedures to deliver second language process in the institutions as well.

Contact details (kilinochchi)	:	021 228 3656
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Contact details (Batticaloa)	:	065 205 0140

Organization Structure

Line Agencies under the supervision of National Language Division

Department of Languages (DOL)

The “Official Language Bureau” which operated as a special unit of the Ministry of Finance in order to facilitate the implementation of Sinhala and Tamil as native languages of Sri Lanka,was restructured as a permanent department under the same ministry from the 01st of October 1955 and thereafter known as the “Department of Official Languages. Following the passage of the Official Languages Act No.33 of 1956,the primary setback faced by the government was performing administrative tasks,which were previously carried out in English, in Sinhala. As a result, from the 1st of October 1956,the duties of the Official Languages were recognized under the supervision of a special commissioner, and the responsibility of facilitating government institutions in using Sinhala as an Official Language of Sri Lanka was assigned to the Department of Official Languages.

Services of Department of Official Language

Conducting academic courses for Sinhala,Tamil,English and other foreign languages
Conducting Language proficiency Examinations for government Officers
Conducting Language proficiency and Efficiency Bar Examination at the request of external institutions
Compilation of Language textbooks, supplementary books and dictionaries

DOL website: https://www.languagesdept.gov.lk/

Official Languages Commission (OLC)

The Official Languages Commission (OLC) is a statutory institution established in compliance to the provisions contained in the Official Languages Act.No.18 0f 1991.This commission consist with 06 members appointed by H.E. the President, one member out of above is nominated as the Chairman. The role of the Commission is regulation and supervision of the provisions contained in chapter IV of the Constitution. The Commission has an approved staff to fulfill duly and efficiently the affairs entrusted.

Services of Official Language Commission

Investigation of public complaints
Awareness creation among Government and semi-Government Officers
Conducting school Programmes
Conducting programmes to create awareness among public

OLC website : https://www.olc.gov.lk/

National Institute of Language Education and Training (NILET)

National Institute of Language Education and Training was formally established by Act No.26 of 2007 with the objectives of the proper implementation of the Official Languages Policy by promoting inter-ethnic reconciliation for a better mechanism in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The key objectives of NILET are capacity building of teachers to teach Sinhala, Tamil & English, capacity building of translators and interpreters, Training of Master Trainers on language teaching and training public officers to deliver bilingual/trilingual services to the general public in terms of bilingual/trilingual competency building of languages.

Services of National Institute of Language Education and Training

To provide extensive training in the Sinhala, Tamil and English languages so as to make available persons competent to teach Sinhala, Tamil and English to persons who are of acquiring such knowledge
To provide training and education to suitable persons in languages and to award certificates and diplomas to successful candidates on completion of such training and educations.
To build up a body of trained personnel equipped to undertake the teaching of languages
To establish a repository of information matters relating to languages.

OLC website : https://www.nilet.gov.lk/

National Language Equality Advancement project (NLEAP)

The government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) initiated a project called ‘National Language Equality Advancement project (NLEAP),with the grant of CAD 10.85M for the period of 4.5 years commencing from the 2016.This project was established under the leadership of the Ministry of National Coexistence, Dialogue and Official Languages. This is a Grant project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Alinea International (previously Agriteam Canada) designed to strengthen the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Official Languages Policy (OLP) by government actors, A Memorandum of understanding (MOU) for NLEAP was signed between the GOSL and GOC in the year 2016 and it is going complete the implementation of activities by 2023.

The Primary project stakeholders are:

The Ministry responsible for the implementation of official languages policy (presently the National Languages Division (NLD) of the Ministry of public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government) and its affiliated institutions, which are mandated to coordinate and support the implementation of the Official Language Policy (OLP);
- National Institute of Language Education and Training (NILET),
- Department of Official Languages (DOL) and
- The Official Languages Commissions (OLC)
The University Grants Commission (UGC) which covers the university of Jaffna, Kelaniya, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern; and
Civil society organizations through the National Language Fund (NLF)

NLEAP Website : https://www.nleap.lk/

Contact Details

Anuradha Wijekoon
Additional Secretary (National Language)

Tel	:	+94 11 2676433 (Ext - 113)
Fax	:	+94 11 2698429
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S. Sathiyaseelam
Senior Assistant Secretary
(National Languages)

Tel	:	+94 11 3091295 (Ext - 285)
Fax	:	+94 11 2683132
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Vacant
Assistant Secretary (National Languages)

Tel	:	+94 11 5657857 (Ext - 276)
Fax	:	+94 11 2683132
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Administrative Officer

A.A.F. Nathimiya
Administrative Officer (National Languages)

Tel	:	+94 11 2684223 (Ext - 167)
Fax	:	+94 11 2683132
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Branch

Tel	:	+94 11 3091295 (Ext - 289)
Fax	:	+94 11 2683132

Internal Audit Division of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, operates under a Chief Internal Auditor who is directly accountable to the Secretary to the Ministry as per Financial Regulation No 133 It consists of an approved staff consisting of 12 Internal Auditors, including the Head of the Branch, an Office Assistant and a Driver.

Vision

“Establishment of a public service with effective human resources for good governance for the betterment of the nation”

Mission

"Participate in the existing system of internal control over the finances of the Ministries and Departments and Institutions under the purview of the Ministry and take action to establish good management of resources by conducting continuous surveys and independent assessments on the regularity and adequacy of internal inspections used to prevent errors and frauds in those activities and effective human resources"

Divisions, departments and institutions that function under the Public Administration Division of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government

Divisions

All divisions in the Public Administration Division

Departments

Department of Pensions

Institutions

Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration.
Distance Learning Center .
National Human Resources Development Council.
Public Service Pensioners’ Trust Fund.

Functions of the Internal Audit Division

The internal audit activities of the Ministry and the institutions supervised under the Ministry are conducted in the following manner in accordance with the appointment made under Section 40 of the National Audit Act in order to ensure that the responsibility of the Chief Accounting Officer is fulfilled as per Sections 38 (b) and (f) of the said Act, the powers vested in the Internal Audit Division by Financial Regulations 133 and 134 and the directives of the Management Audit Department Circular No. 01/2025 dated 28.04.2025..
Verifying whether the internal inspection and administrative system operated within the Department/ Institution in order to avoid frauds and malpractices is successful in its activities and in the aspect planning.
Confirming the credibility of the accounts and other reports and examining whether the required information is provided by the accounting system applied for the purpose of preparing correct financial statements.
Evaluation of the quality of the performance of the staff of the institution in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.
Verifying as to what extent the assets of the Department/ Institution are protected from the possible damages.
Verifying whether the Establishment Code, Financial Regulations of the Government, Circulars and other instructions issued from time to time by the General Treasury and the Ministry in charge of the subject of public administration are followed properly.
Verifying the adequacy of the internal administrative system applied to avoid as well as review the wastage, useless and over expenses.
Inspection on the account procedure of the Department and the operations which causes certain expenses and verifying as to whether the properties and assets of the Department are utilized efficiently and economically.
Conducting special investigations wherever necessary.
Carrying out system analysis and performance analysis in order to ensure productive performance.
Taking action as per the instructions and guidelines issued from time to time by Department of Management Audit, conducting the meetings of the Audit and Management Committee of the Ministry once in every three months, taking follow up action to verify the progress in the implementation of the decisions taken at such meetings are also fallen under the scope of this division.
Focus on corruption, fraud and irregularities related to pensions by examining pension payments and working to resolve issues in the pension payment database and pension files.

Important documents which support the tasks and decisions of Internal Audit Division

Establishments Code
Financial Regulations
Public Administration Circulars
Management Audit Circulars
Internal Audit Guideline

Contact Details

Chief Internal Auditor

Tel	:	+94 11 2667171 (Ext - 134)
Fax	:	+94 11 2683135
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Internal Audit Division

Tel	:	+94 11 2667171 (Ext - 135)
Fax	:	+94 11 2683135

It is located at the first floor of the building adjacent to the main building of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government located at Independence Square, Colombo 07.