President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed a Rs. 25,000 increase in the monthly professional allowance paid to High Court Judges and other judicial officers, alongside higher transport, driver and housing allowances under the 2027 Budget.

Presenting the Budget in Parliament today (12), the President said the proposed revisions recognised the professional responsibilities, nature of service and important role played by officers in the judicial sector.

Under the proposal, the monthly professional allowance paid to High Court Judges, Special Grade Judicial Officers and Judicial Officers of other grades will increase by Rs. 25,000.

The increase will be implemented in two phases, with 50% payable from July 2027 and the remaining 50% in 2028.

Transport, Driver and Housing Allowances Also Increased

With effect from July 2027, the Government has proposed several additional allowance revisions for judges.

The monthly transport allowance for officers entitled to official vehicles will increase by Rs. 50,000.
The monthly driver allowance will increase from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000.
The housing allowance paid to High Court Judges and other judges who are not provided with official residences will be doubled.
Attorney General's Department Also to Receive Allowance Increases

Meanwhile, the monthly non-practising allowance for the Attorney General, Solicitor General and Senior State Counsel will increase by Rs. 25,000.

Senior State Attorneys and State Attorneys will receive an increase of Rs. 20,000.

These increases will be implemented in two phases, with 50% payable from July 2027 and the balance in 2028.

Transport allowances for eligible officers will also increase by Rs. 50,000, while driver allowances will rise from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000. Housing allowances will be doubled from July 2027.

Allowances for Legal Draftsmen and Judicial Support Staff

The Government has also proposed increasing special allowances for senior officers of the Legal Draftsman's Department by Rs. 25,000 and those of Senior Assistant Legal Draftsmen and Assistant Legal Draftsmen by Rs. 20,000.

These increases will be implemented in two phases beginning in July 2027. The driver allowance for eligible officers will increase from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 from the same date.

Allowances for judicial support staff will also be revised with effect from April 2027.

Separately, Rs. 5,115 million has been allocated to expand and develop existing court facilities across several districts, while Rs. 60 million has been allocated to digitalise the Government Analyst's Department.