In a significant development, an Extraordinary Gazette has been issued designating all services related to the supply of electricity, as well as the supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel, as essential services. The Gazette, released on Sunday (03), was authorized by the Secretary to the President, Saman Ekanayake, under the directive of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The proclamation explicitly outlines that the specified services are now deemed Essential Public Services. This decision has been made on the grounds that the services provided by any Public Corporation, Government Department, Local Authority, Co-operative Society, or any of their branches, which are involved in the provision of the specified services, are indispensable to the life of the community. The declaration further emphasizes that any potential impediment or interruption to these services is considered a matter of significant concern.
