President Reviews Essential Services Amid Middle East Conflict

COLOMBO (News 1st): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake joined a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat today (15) with the Secretaries of relevant Ministries and Heads of institutions to review the situation that has arisen in maintaining essential services in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The discussions focused on sectors such as health, education, industry, agriculture, and fisheries. 

During the discussion, the Secretaries of the respective ministries briefed the President on the current fuel requirements and operational needs within their sectors.

After considering the matters raised, the President instructed officials to examine the possibility of maintaining adequate regional fuel reserves to support this sector.

During the discussion, President Dissanayake further highlighted the need to expedite the proper implementation of the digital QR code system to facilitate the supply of fuel required for the agriculture, fisheries and industrial sectors.

Discussions were also held on how sectors such as education should continue to operate under the prevailing circumstances. 

In addition, the President further instructed officials to study and submit proposals on the feasibility of implementing work-from-home arrangements as part of a fuel conservation mechanism.

According to the President's Media Division, President Dissanayake noted that the current situation is one that cannot be predicted with certainty and emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of emerging developments, while collectively responding to this challenge as a nation.

The discussion was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya; Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara; Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Aloka Bandara; Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Anil Jasinghe; Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Varuna Dhanapala; and Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Kolitha Kamal, along with several heads of institutions.