President Extends Essential Services Declaration Amid Post-Disaster Situation

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended a gazette notification declaring a range of public services as essential, citing the need to maintain normal public life amidst the prevailing post-disaster situation. Issued under the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979, the extraordinary gazette was signed by Presidential Secretary Dr. N. S. Kumanayake. The declaration applies to services provided by state corporations, government departments, local authorities, and cooperative societies. Key services now designated as essential include electricity, fuel, gas, health services, transport, water, food, telecommunications, media, banking, and insurance, as well as the Government Printing Press and agricultural services.