The Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, has announced that all government schools will remain closed on Wednesdays due to the ongoing fuel supply crisis.
Responding to an inquiry, he said the decision was taken in line with the government’s move to grant leave to public sector employees every Wednesday.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the government is implementing measures to manage energy efficiently while ensuring the continuity of economic activities and essential services across the country.
He made these remarks during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat to review immediate steps required to ensure energy security and maintain uninterrupted essential services and economic operations.
The discussion, attended by ministers and ministry secretaries, focused on strategies to sustain public services under the current conditions.
Accordingly, the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, said all public sector employees will be granted leave every Wednesday starting from tomorrow (17) until further notice, considering the fuel supply constraints.
He added that this policy will also apply to schools, universities and the judicial sector.
However, essential services including healthcare, ports, water supply and railway services will continue to operate as usual, and the Wednesday leave policy will not apply to these sectors.
Meanwhile, four key committees have been appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers to assess the situation and provide guidance on future measures, the Commissioner General said.
