Colombo has announced a shorter work week to conserve its scarce fuel reserves as it prepares for a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, officials said.
Commissioner-General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi said state institutions will operate only four days a week starting today.
The new austerity measures will also apply to schools and universities and will remain in place indefinitely.
“We are also asking the private sector to follow suit and declare every Wednesday a holiday from now on,” Chandrakeerthi told reporters after an emergency meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
“We must prepare for the worst, but hope for the best,” Dissanayake told senior officials.
Dissanayake said essential services, including hospitals, ports and emergency services will continue to operate as usual.
The government is also suspending all public ceremonies and asking civil servants to work from home where possible.
Sri Lanka imports all of its oil and also buys coal for electricity.
Fuel rationing began on Sunday, limiting motorists to 15 litres of petrol or diesel per week, while public transport was allocated up to 200 litres.
Officials said the country’s petrol and diesel reserves would last nearly six weeks, but warned that any disruption could severely affect the island.
Sri Lanka buys refined petroleum from Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, while crude oil is sourced from the Middle East. — AFP
