It has been decided to close all district sales offices of the Publication Bureau under the Department of Government Information. The Director General of the Government Information Department has issued a letter to district secretaries, officially communicating the decision.
Established about three years ago during Keheliya Rambukwella’s tenure as the Minister of Mass Media, government publishing houses were set up in districts such as Kandy, Vavuniya, Galle, Anuradhapura, and Badulla. These offices facilitated the purchase of official government publications, including gazettes, parliamentary acts, and corporate codes. However, with the sudden closure of these offices, individuals seeking such publications will now have to visit the main office in Polhaengoda.
The Kandy publishing office, which had previously been closed, was reopened during Keheliya Rambukwella’s era after significant renovations costing 25 lakh rupees. Concerns have been raised by various groups, including lawyers, who have submitted letters to the Kandy Coordinating Committee, urging them not to close the Kandy office. Residents in districts like Kandy, Matale, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, and Kurunegala will be adversely affected by the closure, making it challenging to access official government publications.
The Government Information Department cited the non-receipt of expected income by the regional offices as the reason for the decision. However, reports indicate that publications have not been sent to these offices for several months. The closure announcement of the Kandy office in late December led to a surge in purchases, with many individuals, including lawyers, stocking up on official government publications.
