Govt. declares every Wednesday as holiday for public service

By Ajith Siriwardana 

As a move to save energy due to the Middle East tensions, the government yesterday declared every Wednesday a holiday for public service, the Commissioner-General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi said. 

He told a special press briefing at the Government Information Department that the decision was taken at a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Ministers and Ministry Secretaries yesterday afternoon. 

Chandrakeerthi said the holiday is not applicable for essential services such as health, ports, water and the Sri Lanka Customs, while the holiday applies to schools, universities and judicial service institutions. 

He said it was also decided to temporarily suspend state celebrations in light of the prevailing situation.  The Commissioner-General of Essential Services said the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) will be requested to take steps to implement the decision for the private sector as well.  

He said four committees were appointed by the Cabinet, which include a committee headed by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to maintain public service, the Energy Committee headed by Minister Vijitha Herath, a committee headed by Minister Bimal Rathnayake to monitor and delivery of essential foods and a committee headed by Minister Upali Pannilage to provide welfare services to needy groups. 

Chandrakeerthi said summoning officers to their workplaces will be delegated to the Ministry Secretaries and Department heads on service requirements. 

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, and Provincial Councils Aloka Bandara said Wednesday was declared as a holiday so as to save energy, fuel, and also not to disrupt public services. 

“If Friday was declared a holiday, state institutions will have to be closed for three consecutive days. That is why we decided to declare Wednesday as a holiday,’ he said. 

Responding to a question, the Commissioner-General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi said the Education Ministry Secretary will decide on conducting Zoom classes for universities. “A proposal was made to consider online teaching for schools. However, due to unavailability of wide internet access for everyone in the country, it was not considered at the moment,” he said. 

Responding to another question whether school holidays will affect upcoming O/L examination, Chandrakeerthi said there is such a possibility adding that the scheduled date might be delayed in a few days. “It will not be a lengthy period,’ he said.