Nursing Officer Salary in Sri Lanka 2026

Government nurses salary scale in Sri Lanka (MT 7-2025)

Public Administration Circular 10/2025 replaced the 2016 salary scales for the whole public service from 1 January 2025. Schedule I places the Sri Lanka Nursing Service on three codes:

MT 7-2025 starts Rs. 800 to Rs. 2,400 above the other para medical scales (MT 4 to MT 6), so nursing officers sit at the top of the MT group. Public Health Inspectors, for comparison, are on MT 5-2025, which starts at Rs. 53,320.

What is the nursing officer salary by grade in 2026?

The 2025 increase is paid in stages, so the amount on a 2026 pay slip is lower than the scale. The table is taken from the Schedule III conversion tables and shows the old December 2024 salary, the amount paid from April 2025 and January 2026, and the full amount from January 2027. Figures are monthly basic salary in rupees.

Each nurse also earns one increment a year, so an officer with several years' service is further up the table. The conversion tables overlap: Grade III runs from step 1 to step 19, Grade II from step 12 to step 30 and Grade I from step 23 to step 42, the top of MT 7-2025. The circular places the Supra Grade on the same MT 7-2025 scale but does not print a separate conversion table for it.

How much does a government nurse take home each month?

Every public servant receives the Rs. 17,800 cost of living allowance, which continues under Circular 10/2025. Adding it to the 2026 basic gives these approximate gross figures before overtime and holiday pay:

Nursing officers are pensionable, so no EPF is deducted. Ward nurses work rostered shifts, including nights and public holidays, so overtime and holiday pay often add a meaningful amount, but it depends on the hospital, ward and roster. From April 2025 overtime is worked out on the new Schedule II salary at a reduced fraction (a 1/80 rate is paid at two thirds), and holiday pay of 1/20 of salary is paid at two thirds.

What is the pupil nurse training allowance?

Government nurses train for three years as pupil nurses at a school of nursing and are paid a monthly allowance while training. Circular 10/2025 (I), issued on 24 April 2026, set the revised amounts:

For the entry requirements and selection process, see how to become a nurse in Sri Lanka.

Do private hospital nurses earn more than government nurses?

Private hospital groups such as Asiri, Hemas, Nawaloka and Lanka Hospitals set their own pay and do not publish scales. The ranges below are SalaryLK editorial estimates, not official figures, and include basic pay plus fixed allowances.

Private nurses receive EPF and ETF but no pension, and job security is lower. Government nurses get a pension, the cost of living allowance and overtime on top of a published scale. For wider comparisons, see the general nurse salary in Sri Lanka guide, the head nurse salary guide, midwife salary and healthcare industry salaries.

Career path in the Sri Lanka Nursing Service

Nursing officers start in Grade III and are promoted to Grade II, Grade I and the Supra Grade on MT 7-2025 according to the service minute, which sets the years of service and other requirements for each promotion. Above them, the Special Grade (MT 8-2025) and the Executive Grade (SL 1-2025) are the senior levels of the service, with the Executive Grade on the same scale as other executive public servants. Compare this path with other health careers on the doctor salary and PHI salary pages, or see every public service code on the government salary scale 2026 page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Public Administration Circular 10/2025 (PDF) - Ministry of Public Administration (MT 7, MT 8 and SL 1 scales, Schedule III tables, overtime rules)
2. Public Administration Circular 10/2025 (I) (PDF) - pupil nurse training allowances
3. Government Salary Scales 2025 (English PDF mirror) - Gazette.lk
4. Public Administration Circular 03/2024 - cost of living allowance
5. Ministry of Health - nursing recruitment and training notices