Payment of Pensions
Civil · W&OP · Armed Forces — pension services for retired public servants in the Mulatiyana division
Do More Online — Sathkara Pensioner Portal
The Department of Pensions offers several e-services so pensioners can manage their affairs without visiting this office. Register once on the Sathkara portal to unlock all services below. Helpline: 1970
▶ Additional Benefits for Pensioners
Railway Warrants
Free or concession rail travel for pensioners and immediate family. Apply at this office or book e-Warrants online through the SLT mTicketing platform.
Pension Information Letter
Request a certified letter from this office confirming your pension payment details — useful for bank loans, visa applications, and legal matters.
Non-Pensioner Dole Letter
For those who are not pension recipients — the Department of Pensions can issue an official letter confirming non-receipt of a government pension.
Holiday Resorts
Pensioners can book Department of Pensions holiday resorts in Ramboda (near Ramboda falls) and Kelaniya (near Colombo) at subsidised rates.
HNB Sathkara Account
A dedicated pensioner savings account at HNB with no minimum balance, free SMS alerts, and special loan rates specifically designed for government retirees.
Public Service Provident Fund
Officers who joined government service after November 1994 are covered by the PSPF scheme. Lump-sum payment is made at retirement alongside a reduced monthly pension.
▶ Monthly Payment Schedule
Exact payment dates are governed by circulars from the Department of Pensions — call their helpline on 1970 or check pensions.gov.lk. If your payment has not arrived by the 15th, contact the Pensions counter at this office. Pensions are credited directly to your bank account — no cash payments are made.
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Your head of department submits the pension application (Form Pension 1) to the Department of Pensions several months before your retirement date — follow up with your HR division well in advance.
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The Department of Pensions processes the file and issues a First Payment Order addressed to this office. This is the trigger for your pension to begin.
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Visit the Pensions counter at Mulatiyana DS with your documents. You will be registered in the Sathkara Pension Management System and your Pensioner Identity Card will be issued.
- 4
Provide your individual savings account details at a participating bank. Your first monthly payment will be credited on the next payment cycle.
- 5
Register on the online self-service portal at sathkara.pensions.gov.lk to receive circulars, view your pension slip, and track payment history.
- First Payment Order from the Department of Pensions
- NIC of pensioner (original)
- Birth certificate of pensioner
- Individual savings account details — bank, branch, account number
- Two passport-size photographs (for Pensioner ID Card)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable — required for W&OP nomination)
Pension eligibility requires a minimum of 10 years of qualifying government service. Your monthly pension is calculated on last drawn salary and total years of confirmed service per the Minutes on Pensions. Officers who joined government service after November 1994 are covered under the Public Service Provident Fund (PSPF) scheme, which pays a lump sum at retirement plus a reduced monthly pension.
- 1
Bring the original death certificate of the deceased pensioner or public servant to the Pensions counter as soon as possible to stop the existing pension immediately.
- 2
Contact the bank to arrange the return of any pension amounts credited after the date of death — these must be returned to the Government without delay.
- 3
Obtain the W&OP application form from the Pensions counter. Complete it with the spouse's details and the names and ages of all dependent children under 18.
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Submit all supporting documents. This office reviews the file and forwards it to the Department of Pensions for processing and W&OP number assignment.
- 5
W&OP payments are credited to the surviving spouse's individual savings account monthly once approved. A W&OP Identity Card is issued.
- Death certificate of the pensioner / public servant (original)
- Marriage certificate (original)
- Birth certificates of all dependent children (originals)
- NIC of surviving spouse (original & photocopy)
- Individual savings account details of the surviving spouse
- Pensioner Identity Card of the deceased (to be surrendered)
- All photocopies certified by the Grama Niladhari
- Two passport-size photographs of surviving spouse
The W&OP scheme is a contributory scheme — the deceased must have been an active contributor during service for the spouse to qualify. Amounts credited to the bank account after the date of death must be returned to the Government; continued drawdown is a criminal offence. Children's portion of W&OP is payable until they reach 18 years of age or marry, whichever is earlier.
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Download the Life Certificate form from pensions.gov.lk or collect it free from the Pensions counter at this office.
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Complete the form and have it certified by your Grama Niladhari, confirming you are alive and residing in the division.
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Submit the certified form to the Pensions counter at Mulatiyana DS with your Pensioner Identity Card. No fee is charged.
- 4
If you are unable to visit in person due to illness or disability, the Grama Niladhari may submit on your behalf, accompanied by a medical certificate from a recognised institution.
- Duly completed Life Certificate form for the current year
- GN signature and official stamp on the form
- Pensioner Identity Card
- NIC of pensioner
- If bedridden / unable to attend: medical certificate from a recognised hospital and GN's countersignature on form
If your pension is suspended due to missing the deadline, bring your life certificate to the Pensions counter as soon as possible — it will be reinstated promptly. Submit early in December rather than waiting until March to avoid any queues or delays.
- 1
Open a new individual savings account at your preferred participating bank — the account must be in your name only.
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Obtain a bank confirmation letter from the new bank, or bring a certified copy of the passbook showing your full name, account number, and branch.
- 3
Visit the Pensions counter at this office and submit the bank change request form with your new account details.
- 4
The change is updated in the Sathkara Pension Management System and takes effect from the following payment cycle.
- Bank change request form (from Pensions counter)
- Bank confirmation letter or certified copy of new passbook
- Pensioner Identity Card
- NIC of pensioner (original & photocopy)
Pensions can only be paid to individual savings accounts in your own name — joint accounts are not accepted. Major participating banks include Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, NSB, HNB, Commercial Bank, Sampath, and Seylan. HNB Sathkara is a dedicated account designed for government pensioners with zero minimum balance and free SMS alerts.
- 1
Submit a written request letter for arrears payment to the Pensions counter with all supporting documents.
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This office verifies the claim and forwards the request to the Department of Pensions for review and approval.
- 3
If arrears exceed Rs. 500,000, a signed affidavit of non-receipt, attested before a Justice of Peace or Notary Public, is mandatory before any payment is processed.
- 4
Upon approval, arrears are credited to the pensioner's (or heir's) bank account.
- Written request letter for arrears payment
- Pensioner Identity Card and NIC
- If > Rs. 500,000: affidavit of non-receipt, attested by a JP or Notary Public
- Heirs claiming after death: death certificate, birth certificates of all heirs
- Heirs claiming after death: affidavit of family members, attested before a JP or Notary Public
- If an heir transfers entitlement to another heir: separate attested transfer affidavit
If arrears are found to have been paid previously but not declared truthfully in the affidavit, the full amount must be repaid to the Government of Sri Lanka and legal action may follow. Ensure all information in the affidavit is accurate and complete.
- 1
Up to 6 months (personal trip) — Not considered a foreign pensioner. Pension continues through this office as normal. Submit your Life Certificate via your Grama Niladhari as usual.
- 2
6 months to 2 years (personal) — Still paid through this office. Submit your Life Certificate through the nearest Sri Lankan Mission abroad, who will certify and forward it here.
- 3
Under 2 years on government service — Paid through this office. Life Certificate must be certified by the Sri Lankan Mission abroad and submitted here.
- 4
Over 2 years (personal), or any duration with dual/foreign citizenship — Pension must transfer to the Foreign Pensions Division of the Department of Pensions. Inform this office at least two months before departure to arrange the transfer.
- Written request to transfer pension to Foreign Pensions Division
- Copy of valid passport (biographic data page)
- Visa or permanent residence permit confirming period abroad
- Citizenship / dual citizenship certificate if applicable
- New Sri Lankan bank account details — foreign payments are made only through BoC (Metropolitan), HNB (Panchikawatta), Pan Asia Bank (Borella), or People's Bank (HQ)
- NIC of pensioner
Foreign pension rules are governed by Pensions Circular No. 01/2018. Contact the Foreign Pensions Division at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +94 11 232 7752 for further assistance.
Pensions Help Desk — Mulatiyana DS
Always bring your Pensioner Identity Card when visiting. We recommend calling ahead to confirm which documents are required for your specific request.
