Government Wednesday holiday: Functioning of Education and Health sectors further clarified

Essential Services Commissioner General Prabath Chandrakirthi states that with every Wednesday of the week being declared a holiday due to the prevailing crisis in the country, there is a possibility that the upcoming school examinations will be postponed by several days. Speaking at a special press conference held today (16) at the Government Information Department, he pointed out that since this Wednesday holiday will be implemented before the school holiday season, which begins on April 10, it could have a minor impact on the examination schedules.

However, as internet facilities are not at an equal level across the island, there are no plans yet to conduct school education entirely via Zoom technology as was done during the COVID period. Nevertheless, he further stated that the authority to make decisions regarding conducting online lectures for universities has been delegated to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education.

Meanwhile, in parallel with the government's program to limit fuel consumption as a solution to the ongoing fuel crisis, employees of several institutions under the Ministry of Health have been given the opportunity to work from home on Wednesdays. According to a statement by Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, officials from the new Ministry of Health building on Castle Street, the Anti-Malaria Campaign building in Narahenpita, the National Cancer Control Program, and the Health Promotion Bureau must work from home on Wednesdays, effective from this week until further notice.

Although a work-from-home method has been introduced, it is mandatory to maintain essential services without interruption. Accordingly, the relevant statement indicates that officials engaged in duties related to the transport sector and officials in the licensing departments of the Food Control Unit must report to the "Suwasiripaya" main Ministry complex located at 10, Poojya Baddegama Wimalawansa Himi Mawatha, Colombo 10, as usual on Wednesdays. Furthermore, Dr. Anil Jasinghe emphasizes that all other departments belonging to the Ministry should operate on Wednesdays with only a minimum number of employees called to duty, and he expects the maximum cooperation from all officials to ensure the continuous provision of health services during this difficult period.