The government has increased the festival advance for officers from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000.

The advance can be used for festivals including Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, Christmas, and for pilgrimages like Sri Pada and Hajj.

Repayments will continue over eight months or earlier, without interest, following circular instructions issued by the Ministry of Public Administration.