Sri Lanka has entered a new phase of emergency administration as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, as the Commissioner General of Essential Services.
The appointment was made under Regulation 11(1) of the Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions and Powers) Regulations No. 1 of 2025, empowering him to execute and coordinate all activities required to maintain essential services across the country.
The move follows a series of extraordinary gazette notifications issued over the past 48 hours as the nation continues to grapple with severe weather, widespread flooding, supply disruptions and mounting economic pressures.
Essential services declared under emergency law
On Thursday, President Dissanayake issued an extraordinary gazette declaring several key sectors as essential services. These include:
Electricity supply
Fuel distribution, including petroleum and LP gas
Hospital and medical services
Public transport
Water supply and drainage
The declaration gives the government authority to ensure continuity of these crucial services, prevent disruptions and mobilise resources across public and private institutions when needed.
State of Public Emergency declared nationwide
Today, the President issued a separate Extraordinary Gazette declaring a State of Public Emergency throughout Sri Lanka.
According to the notice, the declaration was made:
to ensure public safety,
maintain normal functioning of the country, and
safeguard uninterrupted supplies and essential public services.
The emergency status allows the government to deploy rapid administrative, security and logistical measures in response to unfolding crises.
President calls for private sector cooperation
Addressing members of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at the Joint Services Headquarters on Friday night, President Dissanayake urged the business community to support government efforts during the disaster response and the subsequent recovery phase.
He briefed leaders of the private sector on:
the current ground situation,
evacuation and relief operations underway, and
the assistance required from industries to stabilise essential supplies.
The President also emphasised the need to sustain industrial activity, warning that the economic impact of the severe weather could deepen if industries stall. Discussions covered urgent measures needed to keep production moving and maintain supply chains during the emergency period.
Business leaders also highlighted challenges emerging in sectors such as:
tourism,
airports and aviation,
transport and logistics.
The President stressed that once conditions improve, rapid action would be taken to restore electricity, drinking water and critical road and bridge infrastructure.
Senior officials present included Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandhika Sanath Kumaranayake, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harsha Suriyapperuma, Defence Ministry Secretary Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyakondu, the Tri-Forces Commanders and the IGP. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce delegation was led by Chairman Krishan Balendra.
24-hour hotlines launched for women and children affected by the disaster
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs announced two toll-free emergency hotlines to report cases involving women and children affected by the crisis:
1938 — for issues related to women
1929 — for issues related to children
Both services operate 24 hours a day and are available in Sinhala, Tamil and English.
These hotlines are intended to support vulnerable individuals impacted by flooding, displacement, isolation or breakdowns in household safety during the ongoing emergency.
