President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that, in light of the challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the government is implementing plans to manage energy resources effectively while ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of the country’s economic activities and essential services in Sri Lanka.
The President made these remarks while participating in a discussion held yesterday afternoon (16) at the Presidential Secretariat to review immediate measures required to ensure energy conservation and maintain the smooth functioning of economic activities and essential services amid disruptions affecting energy supply.
According to the President’s Media Division, the meeting was attended by several ministers and ministry secretaries, with special attention focused on steps needed to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of public services under the prevailing situation.
Extensive discussions were also held on alternative methods to maintain the operations of government offices. In this context, attention was drawn to the possibility of limiting energy consumption while continuing essential services by granting a one-day holiday for the public service.
Particular focus was given to identifying alternative measures to ensure the continued provision of services with minimal energy consumption, considering the specific requirements of sectors such as education, health, tourism, fisheries, industry, agriculture, ports and shipping, airport services and digital services.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed a committee comprising ministry secretaries and sectoral experts to submit a report by the end of the day on the fuel allocation required to maintain services in key sectors.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of considering ministerial-level decisions on the feasibility of performing official duties from home during such circumstances. It was proposed that decisions on summoning officers to workplaces be delegated to heads of institutions while adopting suitable methods to ensure uninterrupted services.
In view of the prevailing situation, the President also paid special attention to the challenges faced by farmers in the agricultural sector and by small and medium-scale industrialists in the industrial sector.
He further emphasised that the contribution and commitment of all sectors are essential to minimise the potential impact on the country’s economy, adding that certain groups may be supported through relief measures if necessary.
It was also noted that the introduction of the fuel QR code system aims to manage daily fuel consumption in response to the ongoing challenges. The system will enable authorities to analyse daily fuel allocations and ensure fuel is distributed in a way that supports economic activities while safeguarding energy resources.
The meeting also stressed the importance of using the QR system in an orderly manner during fuel distribution and highlighted the need for each ministry to provide relevant data promptly to the Ministry of Digital Economy to further streamline the system together with legally recognised petroleum institutions.
In addition, it was proposed to temporarily suspend state celebrations in light of the prevailing situation and to establish a mechanism to inform the private sector about any further measures the government intends to introduce.
Among those who attended the discussion were Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Public Administration Minister A. H. M. H. Abeyratne, Labour Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetti, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Senior Advisor on the Digital Economy Hans Wijesuriya and Senior Economic Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, along with several ministry secretaries and officials.
