The state of public emergency declared by the President has been extended for another month.

The relevant Gazette notification was issued on Tuesday (28) by President’s Secretary N. S. Kumanayake.

Per the Gazette notification, taking into consideration the disaster situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, steps have been taken to extend the state of public emergency in the country to safeguard public security and the normal functioning of the country, as well as to maintain essential supplies and services for public life.

Meanwhile, by declaring services provided by any state institution, government department, provincial council institution, cooperative society, or their branches as essential services, steps have also been taken to extend the Gazette notification again.

Accordingly, the Gazette notification that designated as essential services all services related to the supply of electricity, petroleum production, distribution of fuel, including gas, all services related to health, public transport services, and many other services has been extended again.

The Gazette notification is as follows;

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The Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to ensure the orderly functioning of the public service convened for the second time, under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. 

During the meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (24), extensive discussions were held on the immediate measures required to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of government services to the public and to address the challenges faced by public servants. 

Attention was also drawn to maintaining the continuous operation of services under the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Health, Education, and Justice. 

Accordingly, it was decided to ensure that examinations are conducted as scheduled and that essential medicines are supplied to hospitals without disruption. 

The challenges in passenger transport services and the railway transport system, as well as future measures, were also discussed at length. Focus was also placed on the steps to be taken regarding the transportation of essential goods. 

In addition, attention was given to introducing digital service systems to facilitate working from home and to enhance the efficiency of existing services. It was also noted that these activities would be supervised under the Ministry of Digital Economy.

Instructions were further issued to review the current energy management practices across all ministries and departments and to take steps to implement necessary policy changes. 

Minister of Public Administration, A. H. M. M. H. Abeyaratne, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Professor T. M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy T. R. W. S. Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Ayesha Jinasena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, and Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation D. J. A. S. S. Rajakaruna, along with other committee members, were also present at the occasion. (Newswire)

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The Commissioner General of Essential Services, B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi has issued a new set of guidelines to ensure the sparing use of fuel and electricity, citing possible disruptions to fuel imports due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East.

The guidelines, released on Monday (23) to all Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, District Secretaries, and heads of statutory institutions, outline measures for staff transport, fuel management, and energy conservation in government offices.

Officials have been instructed to use public transport or carpooling instead of individual vehicles when reporting for duty, and to prepare daily transport plans that minimize the number of vehicles used for fieldwork. 

Heads of institutions have also been directed to arrange online work methods, such as Zoom or Google Meet, where technical facilities exist, to reduce unnecessary travel.

On electricity conservation, the guidelines call for maximizing natural light, using fans instead of air conditioning where possible, minimizing the use of lifts, and promoting staircases. 

Street lamps controlled by local authorities should be switched off when unnecessary, while lights on roads outside high‑security zones should be temporarily turned off. 

Advertising screens and televisions in institutions are to be deactivated during daytime, and offices should remain closed after working hours and on weekends except in essential circumstances.

Commissioner General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi stated that, in the face of the prevailing global situation, all state officials must act as examples to the public for national energy security. (Newswire)

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Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, yesterday (16) assured that the government is taking steps to ensure the public has access to essential goods during the upcoming festive season, despite disruptions caused by the global war situation.

Addressing a special media briefing to mark International Consumer Rights Day, the Minister noted that daily developments in the global conflict have impacted Sri Lanka’s supply chains, including fuel, gas, and key imports such as potatoes, onions, sugar and lentils. While 80% of potatoes and onions, and all lentils, are imported, he said rice stocks are sufficient for three to four months. 

He added that four oil shipments due by April have been confirmed, while gas supplies are being provided under existing agreements until December 31. “We are monitoring the situation daily and working with importers, producers and distributors to maintain supply,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether individuals or associations can arbitrarily raise food prices in view of the upcoming festive season, the Minister stressed that such announcements are often made by individuals rather than formal associations. 

He warned that unfair price hikes will be investigated and revealed plans to introduce price ranges for short eats, following market surveys and discussions with bakery owners. “If costs rise by 8%, you cannot raise the price of a short eat by 50%. That’s unfair. We will act to protect consumers,” he said.

On online trade, Minister Samarasinghe said networks selling discounted goods through social media have expanded, especially during festive seasons. 

He announced that online businesses and courier services will be required to register with the Consumer Affairs Authority to ensure consumer safety. “Even through online marketing, goods must be of quality. If substandard goods are sold online, we are paying attention to that too,” he said.

Meanwhile, coinciding with International Consumer Rights Day, the Consumer Affairs Authority launched a series of special programs across the island. 

These include public awareness campaigns, laboratory testing of goods, and a crackdown on harmful creams and lotions. 

District offices have been instructed to conduct 250 raids over two weeks, while complaints received via the hotline 1977 will be given special attention. (Newswire)

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A Gazette notification has been issued declaring Electricity and Petroleum as essential services.

The Gazette signed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe was issued dated 05 August 2024.

As per the Gazette, all services connected to the supply of electricity and the supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel have been declared essential public services. (Newswire)

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A Gazette notification has been issued declaring several sectors as essential services.

The Gazette has been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe dated January 03, 2024.

As per the Gazette, the sectors declared as essential services are as follows;

1. All services connected to the supply of electricity, 
2. The supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel, 
3. The discharge, carriage, landing, storage, delivery and removal of articles of food or drink, or coal, oil or fuel from vessels within any port as defined for the purposes of the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235) 
4. The provision and maintenance of facilities for transport services by air, including airports and ports. (NewsWire)

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A Gazette notification has been issued declaring the electricity, petroleum, and health sectors as essential services in Sri Lanka.

The Gazette has been issued by the Acting Secretary to the President dated September 17, 2023.

As per the Gazette notification, all services related to the supply of electricity, the supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel, and all services, work, or labour required for the maintenance, care, feeding, and treatment of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and similar healthcare institutions are now declared as essential services.

Gazette : http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2023/9/2349-44_E.pdf (NewsWire)

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Several trade unions from the essential services sector, including power, petroleum, water, ports, and banks, will engage in a one-day strike on Wednesday, 1st March 2023.

The one-day strike action is being planned to protest the government’s new tax policy, alongside other issues.

The trade unionists have called on the government to take responsibility for the inconvenience caused to the public due to the strike action tomorrow.

The trade union of the Bank of Ceylon has extended its support for the strike action, while 18 state and private banks are set to join the strike action.

However, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) will announce its decision on whether or not it will join the strike by 12.00 pm today. (NewsWire)

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Trade Unions of several essential services have organized a strike action against the new Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) that was implemented on 1st January 2023.

Convener of the Joint Ports Trade Union Collective Niroshana Gorakana said that nearly 40 trade unions of the essential services sector engage in a strike on Wednesday, 08th of February 2023.

He further said that petroleum, electricity, ports, water, and health trade unions are among the trade unions that have organized the strike action. 

Convener of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) United Trade Union Alliance, Ranjan Jayalal has revealed that they too will engage in a strike on the same day.

General Secretary of Petroleum General Employees’ Union Ashoka Ranwala also stated that they will also participate in the strike if the government fails to amend the said tax policy. (NewsWire)

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