The Foreign Pensions Division of the Department of Pensions make payments for the Sri Lankan pensioners who are holding citizenship of another country or holding dual citizenship with Sri Lanka or Sri Lankan pensioners going abroad for more than two years. Foreign pensions are regulated under the pensions circular 1/ 2018.
In terms of Circular Message 01/2018 the Foreign Pensions Division of the Department of Pensions make payments for the following pensioner under the foreign pension category;
- Sri Lankan native pensioners who hold citizenship of another country
- Holding dual citizenship with Sri Lanka
- Sri Lankan pensioners who have gone abroad for more than two years
Foreign pension payments are being paid only through a special bank account which maintains by Bank of Ceylon –Metropolitan Branch, Hatton National Bank- Panchikawatta Branch, Pan Asia Bank-Borella Branch, People’s Bank- Queens Branch and National Savings Bank – Maligawatte Branch.
All pensioners residing abroad should furnish their annual Life Certificates every year during the 1st of December of the previous year to 31st of March of the ensuing year. Foreign pensioners should submit their Life Certificate to the Head office by visiting the front operation counter of the Department of Pensions or through Sri Lanka Mission abroad.
Pensioners going aboard on exigency of the service and whose payments are made by the Divisional Secretariats should submit their Life Certificate obtained through foreign missions of Sri Lanka, to the relevant Divisional Secretariats.
Pensions of pensioners who are going abroad for a personal requirement for a period not exceeding six (06) months will not be considered as foreign pensioners and their Life Certificates should be submitted through the normal channel.
Contacts
Postal Address
Department of Pensions,
Maligawatta,
Colombo 10,
Sri Lanka
Required documents for registration (Registration Process)
According to pensions circular No.1/2018 pensioners should submit the following documents for the commencement of the pension payment under the foreign pension category.
A letter requesting to transfer the pension into a foreign pension (clearly mention the lone dues if obtained)
All documents should be submitted with the attestation of the competent authority of the Sri Lanka Mission abroad or be submitted directly to this Department by the applicant in personally.
Put the correct signature as appears in the passport on the relevant documents.
Registration for Widows’ & Orphans Pensions (W& OP)
There is a responsibility of the widow/widower or the next of kin to inform this Department about the death of a pensioner who was in receipt of civil pension as soon as possible.
Subsequently, the widow/widower of the deceased should submit the following documents with the attestation of the competent authority of the Sri Lanka Mission abroad to obtain W & OP benefits if eligible. If the widow/widower is in Sri Lanka he/she should personally come to the Department and submit the required documents.
If there is a long delay in applying for W & OP benefits resulting arrears of pension over 7.5 lacks the valid reasons should be submitted by an affidavit declaring non-receipt of pension payment for said period and if disclosed paid amount will pay back to the Government of Sri Lanka.
Bank Details
Commencement of the pension payments under the foreign pension category can be done only through the special bank accounts maintained at following branches
The pensioner should open a special bank account in any of the bank stated above with the consent of this Department (the letter of consent should be certified by the competent authority of this Department).
Bank of Ceylon, Metropolitan Branch
Pan Asia Bank, Borella Branch
People's Bank, Head Quarters Branch
Hatton National Bank, Panchikawatta Branch
Transferring money to another bank account
There is an opportunity of transferring money from their special bank account to
- 1. An individual savings account of the SAME BANK maintained under the pensioners name , or
- 2. To an individual savings bank account of a foreign bank maintained under the pensioner’s name
- Transferring to other banks are STRICTLY RESTRICTED.
- Pensioner should have to submit a valid Life Certificate for each transaction along with the relevant application form
Pension payments for heirs
Pay arrears of Pensions /W& OP pensions
Arrears payments are made when the restart of a hold pension if the amount is less than Rs.750,000.00. If the amount is above Rs.750,000.00 payments will be done after the approval of the special committee.
Required documents,
- 1. Request Letter
- 2. Transaction Statement of the pension related bank account for three months prior to the date of commencement of arrears payment
- 3. Valid passport copies
- 4. National Identity Card (NIC) copy
- 5. An affidavit declaring non-receipt of pension payment for said period and if disclosed paid amount will pay back to the Government of Sri Lanka with attestation of the competent authority of the Sri Lanka Mission abroad.
Life Certificate
- 1. Foreign pensioners should submit their Life Certificate to the foreign pension branch by visiting the front operation counter of the Department of Pensions or through Sri Lankan Mission abroad.
- 2. All pensioners residing abroad or whose pension file maintains by foreign pensions division should furnish their Life Certificates every year during the 1st of December of the previous year to 31st of March of the ensuing year. It should submit to the Head office by visiting the front operation counter of the Department of Pensions or through Sri Lanka Mission abroad.
- 3. Pensioners are going aboard on exigency of the service for less than two years and whose payments are made by the Divisional Secretariats should submit their Life Certificate obtained through foreign missions of Sri Lanka, to the respective Divisional Secretariats.
- 4. Pensions of pensioners who are going abroad for a personal requirement for a period not exceeding six (06) months will not be considered as foreign pensioners and their Life Certificates should be submitted through the normal channel.
- 5. Pensioners who are unable to visit the nearest Sri Lanka Mission abroad due to aging or severe sickness should submit their Life Certificates with a certificate of a recognized medical officer of the relevant country, and post the same to the respective Mission.
- It is mandatory to use the correct format for particular year and to attach a copy of the valid passport.
- LIFE CERTIFICATES NOT CERTIFIED BY THE HIGH COMMISSION/EMBASSY/SRI LANKAN FOREIGN MISSION/CONSULATE GENERAL WILL BE REJECTED
Railway Warrants
The Department of Pensions has partnered with the Sri Lanka Railways Department to grant railway warrants to pensioners and the said facility is available to foreign pensioners as well.
Duly completed application should be submitted by the applicant in personally to the Front operation counter of Foreign Pensions Division at Department of Pensions with National Identity card of Sri Lanka and the passport.
Dole Letter
Department of Pensions issues a dole letter that confirming the person is not a recipient of a pension paid by the Department of Pensions on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.
Required documents,
If the pensioner is residing overseas, the application and the affidavit should be certified by the competent authority of the Sri Lanka Mission abroad. Third party authorization to produce and collect the document should also have to come through the Mission abroad.
Pension Information Letter
Department of Pensions issues a letter to the Sri Lankan overseas pensioner confirming their pension payment details upon the request of the pensioner.
Required documents,
- 1. Request Letter
- 2. Valid passport copy
- 3. NIC copy (National Identity Card)
Transferring back pension files to Divisional Secretariat
Submit the following documents to this Department after returning to Sri Lanka on competition your tour of duty and no more willingness to go back to overseas in order to transfer pension documents to the respective Divisional Secretariats.
This privilege is not applicable for foreign citizen holders and dual citizen holders as well.
- A request letter mentioning no idea to go back oversees again
- A copy of the local bank account (individual savings)
- Grama Niladhaari certificate
- Passport copies including embarkation and disembarkation