The government has decided to stop using honorifics such as “His Excellency” and “Honourable” before the titles of the President, Prime Minister, ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers in official communications and documents.

The Cabinet Division issued a circular on Wednesday directing all government ministries, divisions and their subordinate offices to follow the decision with immediate effect.

According to the circular, the honorific terms, or any other similar forms of address, will no longer be used in writing before the titles of the President, Prime Minister, ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers in official correspondence, documents, and notes or summaries submitted to them.

The directive applies across government offices and is intended to standardise the way senior state officials are referred to in official communications.