Health Ministry rebukes WP Chief Secretary’s office over mask mandate

A circular issued by Western Province Deputy Chief Secretary B.N. Damminda Kumara advising all government institution heads to instruct employees to wear face masks has sparked controversy, prompting a sharp contradiction from the Ministry of Health.  

Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated that no nationwide directive has been issued requiring government employees to wear face masks. He emphasised that there is currently no health advisory warranting compulsory mask-wearing in public institutions, and said that such decisions should be based on national-level health assessments, not regional discretion.  Dr. Jasinghe further noted that while there is no harm in individuals choosing to wear masks voluntarily or based on medical advice, there is no need to mandate face masks across government institutions at this time. He advised Deputy Chief Secretary Kumara to reconsider the directive, particularly since it was issued citing concerns over the spread of Influenza and COVID-19.  

Amid mounting confusion, the Western Province Chief Secretary’s Office later withdrew the circular, stating it had been misinterpreted and misrepresented on social media. The Chief Secretary clarified that the mask advisory was intended only for employees working within the Western Provincial Council building, not for all public sector workers in the province or country.