With heavy rain and worsening weather systems sweeping across Sri Lanka, the government has declared tomorrow (28) a special holiday for all state institutions, excluding essential services. The move is aimed at reducing disruption and avoiding risks to public servants and the wider public as flood and disaster warnings expand across multiple districts.
In a statement, the Ministry of Public Administration announced that the special holiday will not apply to agencies providing critical public services such as health, security, electricity and transport. Staff attached to these sectors have been instructed to report to duty as usual, reflecting concern about maintaining core state functions even as conditions deteriorate.
Children’s safety has been explicitly foregrounded in the decision. The government has asked all international schools operating in the country to remain closed tomorrow, citing the current weather-related risks. Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwawa, said the step was taken to protect students and urged all international school authorities to comply fully with the instructions issued.
