Special Task Force for Essential Services commences operations

The Presidential Special Task Force for Essential Services, established by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to maintain normalcy and the smooth functioning of day-to-day life, has begun operations for the coordination, monitoring, and provision of essential public services, giving priority to the districts most at risk from COVID-19, the Government said in a statement yesterday. 

The Task Force is functioning at Temple Trees under the full supervision of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and is headed by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The functions of the task force include the following:

• Coordinating electricity, water supply and waste management
• Supply of fuel and gas
• Coordinating and managing passenger transport services
• Coordinating and managing the supply, distribution and price control of essential food items and medicines
• Coordinating and managing provincial and district administration activities
• Coordinating and managing the rural economy
• Coordinating and managing the national economy

During discussions that took place yesterday, a number of decisions were taken to provide essential public services and establish normalcy within communities. Officials from the sectors of food, electricity, water, daily wage earners, fisheries, and transport for essential services participated in the discussion.