A gathering convened by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to debate responses to a potential gasoline disaster and upkeep of important companies in Sri Lanka, on March 16, 2026. Picture: Particular Association.
Sri Lanka on Monday (March 16, 2026) introduced a four-day working week — declaring Wednesdays off — for presidency establishments, colleges, and universities, to preserve gasoline because the escalating tensions in West Asia threaten a extreme vitality disaster.
Addressing a media convention in Colombo, the Commissioner Basic of Important Companies additionally inspired the non-public sector to think about the choice because the island nation, like many others, braces for potential gasoline shortages. All authorities capabilities shall be placed on maintain briefly, officers stated.
Nevertheless, these employed in important companies, together with the well being sector, ports, water provide and customs departments, will operate all days.
The announcement got here a day after the federal government switched to a QR code-aided digital system to ration retail gasoline gross sales, limiting weekly quotas to shoppers in line with the automobile they use.
Printed – March 16, 2026 09:22 pm IST