Govt. declares electricity and fuel essential services

The Government has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification declaring the supply and distribution of electricity, petroleum products and all services in connection with the maintenance and treatment of patients in hospitals and other similar institutions as essential service.

The Gazette notification has been issued on 3 October by the Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake on the directive of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The Gazette states the President by virtue of powers vested in him in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979 has issued the proclamation.

The proclamation was issued considering it necessary that essential services provided by any Public Corporation, Government Department, Local Authority, Co-operative Society or any other State institution are not impeded or interrupted. Accordingly, all services connected to the supply of electricity, the supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel and all service, work or labour necessary for the maintenance, and the reception, care feeding, and treatment of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and other similar institution have been declared essential service by the President.