Public sector mothers of twins, triplets to receive extended paid maternity leave

Female public sector employees who give birth to twins will be entitled to an additional 42 Government working days of full-pay maternity leave, while mothers of triplets or more will receive an additional 84 days, under amendments to the Establishments Code approved by the Cabinet.

The changes to Section 18 of Chapter XII, Volume I of the Establishments Code increase full-pay maternity leave for mothers of twins to 126 working days and for mothers of triplets or higher-order multiple births to 168 working days.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum submitted by Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna and directed that a Public Administration Circular be issued to implement the changes across the public service.

Under the existing provisions, female public servants are entitled to 84 days of full-pay maternity leave, followed by 84 days on half pay and a further 84 days of no-pay leave for each live birth.

The amendments recognise the additional physical, psychological and financial pressures associated with multiple births, including premature delivery, prolonged hospitalisation and the need to care for several infants simultaneously.

Under the revised scheme, mothers of twins will also be entitled to 42 days of half-pay leave after completing their full-pay maternity leave and may request up to 84 days of no-pay leave.

Mothers of triplets or more will be entitled to 84 days of half-pay leave after their extended full-pay period. No additional no-pay maternity leave will be available to them under the revised provisions because of the longer period of paid leave.

The amendments also provide for leave entitlements to be adjusted according to the number of surviving children if one or more children die at birth or during the maternity leave period.

The Cabinet memorandum noted that multiple births could involve additional medical treatment, medicines, specialised equipment and dietary requirements. It also cited the increasing incidence of multiple births associated with subfertility treatment in Sri Lanka and overseas as one reason for revising the existing provisions.

The new entitlements will take effect following the issuance of the relevant Public Administration Circular.