Colombo, 03 September 2026 – The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has officially released Circular No. 21/2026, outlining the comprehensive annual transfer procedure for officers in the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service (SLAc.S) across Grades I, II, and III for the year 2027. Issued on 1st September 2026, the circular details the mechanisms approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to ensure systematic, fair, and efficient transfers within the crucial service.
The new guidelines are designed to streamline the transfer process, consider officer requests, facilitate regular rotations, and prevent prolonged stays at single service stations, thereby enhancing administrative efficiency across government entities.
Key Aspects of the 2027 SLAc.S Transfer Procedure
Annual Transfer Committee and Its Role
An Annual Transfer Committee will be appointed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to oversee the 2027 transfers. Its primary function is to consider transfer requests systematically and ensure officers are rotated within a reasonable period.
The committee’s composition includes:
- Additional Secretary (Public Administration) of the Ministry – Chairman
- Director (Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service) – Member
- Senior Assistant Secretary (Divisional Administration, Home Affairs Division) – Member
- A representative from each trade union of the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service – Member
Compulsory Transfers: Who Must Move?
The circular identifies several categories of officers in Grades I, II, and III who will be subject to compulsory transfers:
- Officers who have served in the same service station for six years or more.
- Officers who have completed a total period of five years in the Sri Lanka Police or hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health.
- Officers who have completed a total period of service of 12 years at maximum in a ministry, department, or provincial council (excluding Police/Health institutions).
- Officers who have completed a total period of service of 12 years in a ministry, department, district secretariat, or provincial council situated in a district other than Colombo.
- Officers who have completed the maximum period of three years at designated “popular service stations.”
Voluntary Transfer Applications
Officers wishing to apply for a transfer must have completed a minimum service period of two years in their current service station. The Transfer Committee’s decision on these requests will be final, though representations can be made against proposals.
“Popular Service Stations” and Service Limits
To ensure equitable distribution and exposure, specific institutions are classified as “popular service stations” due to legal additional financial benefits. The maximum service period an officer can serve in these stations is three years. Officers completing this period will be compulsorily transferred.
The designated popular service stations are:
- Department of Customs
- Department of Immigration and Emigration
- Department of Motor Traffic
- Department of Excise
- Department of Inland Revenue
- Department for Registration of Persons
- Department of Wildlife Conservation
The circular explicitly states that, under normal circumstances, an officer shall be allowed to serve at only one of these departments during their entire service period. Requests for these stations will be prioritized based on officer seniority.
Vacancies at these popular stations for 2027 have also been outlined:
| Department | Vacancies (Grade I – Present) | Vacancies (Grade II/III – Present) | Vacancies (Grade I – 2027) | Vacancies (Grade II/III – 2027) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Customs | – | – | 1 | – |
| Department of Immigration and Emigration | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| Department of Motor Traffic | – | – | – | 1 |
| Department of Excise | – | – | 1 | – |
| Department of Inland Revenue | – | – | 1 | – |
| Department for Registration of Persons | – | – | 1 | – |
| Department of Wildlife Conservation | – | – | – | 1 |
Exempted and Concurrence-Based Transfers
Transfers for officers serving in certain sensitive institutions, such as the Presidential Secretariat, Office of the Prime Minister, and Cabinet Office, will not be considered under this procedure. Conversely, transfers to and from independent commissions (e.g., Public Service Commission, Election Commission, Audit Service Commission) will require the concurrence of the respective head of the institution.
Appeal Mechanisms for Dissatisfied Officers
Officers who are not satisfied with the proposals of the Annual Transfer Committee are given an opportunity to make representations in writing to a dedicated review committee. These representations are considered only in cases where transfers were made:
- Without complying with the Transfer Policy.
- Where officer requests were not fulfilled.
- Against the requests of the officers.
Further appeals against final transfer orders can be made to the Public Service Commission (PSC) within 14 days of receiving the order, strictly through the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration. The PSC’s decision on such appeals will be final, with a further right to appeal to the Administrative Appeal Tribunal under specific circumstances.
Critical Timetable for 2027 Transfers
The circular outlines a strict timetable for the implementation of the annual transfer procedure:
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Establishment of the Annual Transfer Committee | Before 01st August 2026 |
| Issuance of notifications for annual transfers | Before 15th September 2026 |
| Submission of duly perfected annual transfer applications to relevant authority | Before 15th October 2026 |
| Submission of applications to the Transfer Board by relevant authority | Before 25th October 2026 |
| Handing over of transfer proposals by the Annual Transfer Committee in writing | Before 15th November 2026 |
| Issuance of notifications regarding proposed annual transfers & appointment of review committee | Before 30th November 2026 |
| Closing date for receiving appeals by review committees | Before 15th December 2026 |
| Submission of review committee recommendations in writing | Before 31st December 2026 |
| Issuance of the final transfer order | Before 15th January 2027 |
| Submission of appeals to the Public Service Commission | Before 31st January 2027 |
| Giving effect to the annual transfers | From 01st March 2027 or as ordered by PSC |
| Referring particulars of released/reported officers to the Ministry | Before 31st March 2027, or within one month of transfer implementation |
Responsibilities of Heads of Departments and Ministries
Heads of Departments and Secretaries of Ministries bear significant responsibility for the accuracy and timely submission of officer particulars (Annex II), particularly for compulsory transfers. They must also ensure the prompt release of transferred officers, even without the arrival of successors, to enable them to report to new stations on time. Failure to release officers or report for duty will result in disciplinary action, including the issuance of vacation of post notices.
Other Important Provisions
- Service Period Calculation: The period of service for transfers will be calculated as of 31st December 2026.
- Spousal Transfers: Every effort will be made to transfer officers to service stations close to their spouse’s workplace upon request.
- Officers over 58: Generally, officers over 58 years will not be transferred outside their district without their request, but may be transferred within the district.
- Urgent Transfers: The Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration retains powers to make transfers based on administrative purposes and exigency of service, without the officer’s consent or request.
- Remote Areas: Officers serving in remote areas or stations with fewer transfer requests may serve more than six years at the same place, at their option.
The circular underscores the importance of strict adherence to the stipulated procedures and timelines for the smooth implementation of the 2027 annual transfers, ensuring transparency and fairness for all officers in the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service.
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