The Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, announced that all Government schools will remain closed on Wednesdays. 

This decision aligns with the government’s move to grant leave to public sector employees every Wednesday to conserve fuel.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that these measures are part of broader efforts to manage energy efficiently while maintaining the continuity of economic activities and essential services across the country. 

He made these remarks during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, attended by ministers and ministry secretaries, to review immediate steps for energy security and uninterrupted public services.

The Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, stated that all public sector employees will be granted leave every Wednesday starting from tomorrow (17) until further notice, including universities and the judicial sector. However, essential services such as healthcare, ports, water supply, and railways will continue to operate normally and are exempt from the weekly leave.

To further address the situation, four main committees have been appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers to assess the current energy crisis and guide future actions. These initiatives aim to ensure that vital services remain functional while managing the ongoing fuel shortages effectively.