Sri Lanka will implement special plans to manage the energy challenges faced by the country’s economy and to continue providing essential services in the face of the ongoing Middle East crisis, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.
The President made these remarks during a special discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (16). The main objective of the discussion was to explore urgent steps to address possible disruptions to energy supplies.
A lengthy discussion was also held on granting a one-day holiday to the public service or adopting alternative measures to limit energy consumption. It was proposed that the decision on calling officers to work be delegated to the heads of institutions based on service requirements. The implementation of a “Work From Home” system, whenever practical, was also discussed.
Special attention to essential services
Maintaining services in key sectors including education, health, tourism, fisheries, industry and agriculture while minimising energy consumption was discussed separately.
A committee comprising ministry secretaries and experts has been appointed to determine the amount of fuel required for key sectors. The President instructed that their report be submitted today itself.
Streamlining the QR system
It was also decided to streamline the QR-based fuel management system in order to regulate daily fuel consumption. Relevant sectors have been instructed to immediately provide the necessary data to the Ministry of Digital Affairs.
In view of the prevailing situation, it was also decided to temporarily suspend state ceremonies.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Ministers Vijitha Herath, Wasantha Samarasinghe and Nalinda Jayatissa, along with members of the Cabinet and several senior state officials, participated in the discussion.
