Cabinet nod to increase maternity leave allowance for female Post Masters

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena

In a progressive move, the Government has decided to increase the maternity leave allowance for female Post Masters from 30 days to 84 days.  

The Cabinet paper to this effect presented by Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday. 

“Sub-Postmasters limit their maternity leave to 30 days, as they would otherwise have to employ a substitute at their own expense during the extended leave,” Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

As per the Sri Lanka Sub-Postmaster Service Constitution, a Sub-Postmaster is entitled to maternity leave subject to employing a substitute at her own expense. 

It is recommended by the World Health Organization that an infant should be breastfed for at least six months.