Government Declares Every Wednesday a Special Holiday Amid Fuel Preparedness Measures

COLOMBO (News 1st): Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi announced today the decision of declaring every Wednesday as a government holiday.

He made this announcement at a special media briefing this evening at the Department of Government Information. 

According to the Commissioner General, a special meeting was held this afternoon, chaired by the President and attended by the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, ministry secretaries, and chairpersons of various state corporations, to discuss potential fuel shortages that could arise due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Following the discussions, it was decided that every Wednesday will henceforth be declared a government holiday.

The Commissioner General added that essential services, including Health, Ports, Water Supply, and Customs, will be exempt from this holiday, while schools, universities, and the judiciary will observe it. 

He further declared that all government-organized events have been suspended until further notice. 

According to the commissioner general, the government has also encouraged the private sector, including the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, to adopt to similar arrangements.

Addressing the fuel distribution process in the country, Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi highlighted that fuel distribution will continue under the current QR system issued to all sectors, with specific allocations for critical sectors such as tourism, industry, health, agriculture, and plantations to be assessed and provided by the relevant ministries.

Chandrakeerthi emphasized that the ministers have also approved the formation of four special committees to manage the situation.

Accordingly, one committee led by the Prime Minister will oversee the functioning of state services, a committee on power led by Minister Vijitha Herath, another committee led by Minister Bimal Rathnayake which will monitor and ensure the supply of essential goods, and a committee headed by Minister Upali Pannilage to ensure welfare provisions to the general public who will require them.

The Commissioner General stated that these core committees which will comprise ministry secretaries and other related officials will monitor the situation in the country and make necessary decisions. 

He added that while Wednesdays have been declared a government holiday, heads of institutions have been empowered to decide which employees will be required to report to work during the rest of the week. 

The special government holiday on Wednesday comes into effect in addition to the holidays on weekends. 

Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi affirmed that through all these measures, the government's intention is to be proactively prepared for any situation that may arise, despite possessing sufficient stocks of fuel for the country to function.