Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday, 24 March 2026 02:31 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday directed officials to intensify public awareness campaigns on prudent electricity use during peak hours, as the country seeks to safeguard energy security against the backdrop of global supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Speaking at a high-level discussion at the Presidential Secretariat, the President called for all possible measures to reduce usage between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., the period of highest national demand.
The renewed focus on conservation reflects growing concern over global energy market volatility and the need to manage domestic demand carefully, even as authorities insist there are no immediate plans to curtail electricity supply.
The President stressed that ensuring uninterrupted energy supply in the current global climate required collective responsibility from both State institutions and individual consumers.
The meeting reviewed steps already taken in recent weeks to manage energy consumption and focused on operationalising additional measures, particularly within the public sector.
The President directed officials to formulate clear and practical guidelines for Government institutions to follow during the peak period.
He also called for discussions with Local Government bodies to ensure systematic energy management at municipal and provincial levels, emphasising that conservation efforts must extend beyond central administration.
Officials noted that substantial amounts of electricity are used by advertising billboards and decorative lighting systems, suggesting that restricting their use could yield meaningful savings.
Proposals by the Transport and Highways Ministry to scale back non-essential street lighting in urban areas were also discussed as part of broader demand-management strategies.
Dissanayake underscored the need for coordination among relevant stakeholders to identify viable alternatives and expedite implementation, signalling a preference for preventive demand-side measures rather than enforced supply restrictions.
The discussion was attended by Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Chandana Abeyratne, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, and other senior officials.
