Govt. scraps public sector four-day week

Tuesday, 7 April 2026 02:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government has cancelled the weekly Wednesday holiday granted to public sector offices, with effect from tomorrow (8), citing the need to ensure continuity of essential services.

In a circular issued to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Presidential Chief of Staff and Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi announced that the provision introduced under Public Administration Circular No. 09/2026 will no longer be in effect from that date.

The four-day week had been introduced as part of earlier administrative measures, but authorities have now moved to withdraw the concession to support uninterrupted public service delivery.

The directive said the decision was taken to ensure the efficient maintenance of essential services across the country and to streamline government operations.

Accordingly, public sector institutions will revert to a standard working week from 8 April.