- Essential services re-declared
The State of Public Emergency in Sri Lanka has been extended with effect from 28 January 2026, and related emergency and essential services regulations have also been updated through extraordinary gazette notifications issued under the authority of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The gazette, signed by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, stated that the proclamation was made under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978, and Act No. 28 of 1988, bringing the provisions of Part II of the Ordinance into operation across the country to ensure public safety, maintain the normal functioning of the state, and secure the continuity of essential supplies and services.
The emergency was first declared on 29 November, 2025, following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. In addition, amendments have been introduced under Section 5 of the Public Security Ordinance, with the revised regulations cited as the Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions and Powers) Regulations, No. 1 of 2026.
Separately, under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979, the President has extended the declaration of several services as essential to prevent disruptions arising from the post-disaster situation, including all services connected to the supply of electricity; the supply and distribution of fuel, petroleum products and gas; all hospital and healthcare-related services, including the care and treatment of patients; public transport services for passengers and goods; the facilitation and maintenance of transport and tourism services by road, rail and air, including highways, bridges, culverts, airports, ports and railways; services related to water supply and drainage; services connected to the supply, protection and distribution of food and essential commodities; all services and work carried out by District and Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi Development Officers, Agricultural Research Assistants, Community Empowerment Officers, officers of the Clean Sri Lanka Centralized Team and other field-level officials; ambulance services; all state banking and insurance services, including the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; services provided by local authorities related to water, electricity, drainage, sewerage, fire-fighting, ambulance services, garbage removal and disposal; services connected to irrigation; services related to telephone, telecommunication and media; services connected to the reclamation and development of low-lying lands; and all services linked to agriculture and agricultural insurance.