Govt introduces remote work guidelines due to fuel, energy concerns

Colombo, April 27 (Daily Mirror) - The government has moved to expand remote working arrangements across the public sector in response to ongoing unrest in the Middle East and its impact on global economic conditions, including fuel supply constraints affecting Sri Lanka.

Authorities had initially limited office operations to reduce pressure on national fuel stocks and manage energy use. In this context, the Cabinet Committee on the Systematic Maintenance of Public Services, chaired by the Prime Minister, has directed the Ministry of Digital Economy to explore wider adoption of remote work in consultation with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Digital Economy has issued interim guidelines to heads of government institutions on the effective use of digital technologies for remote service delivery and routine office functions. The guidelines, available in all three languages, can be accessed via the ministry’s official website - https://mode.gov.lk/docs/guidelines.

The Ministry highlighted that under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, the creation, approval and circulation of official documents in electronic form are legally valid. This includes the use of scanned signatures, digital signatures and official government email communications.

The government has also recommended the use of the “meet.gov.lk” video conferencing platform as the primary tool for official virtual communication, while permitting the temporary use of other commercial platforms when necessary.

Department heads have been urged to enhance the digital skills of public sector employees and ensure strict data protection measures, in line with efforts to strengthen public service delivery under the Digital Economy Blueprint, a key government priority.

Meanwhile, the Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry has issued Circular No. 02/2026 dated April 23, 2026, instructing all ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries and heads of departments to inform public officials and implement the new guidelines.