Extraordinary Gazette declares several essential services

• Designates all services connected to electricity, petroleum, fuel essential

The Government has issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring all services connected to the supply of electricity and the supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel as essential services. 

The Extraordinary Gazette bearing No.2373/59 dated 3 March was issued by the Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake by order of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

“Considering it necessary that the services provided by any Public Corporation or Government Department or Local Authority or Co-operative Society or any branch thereof being a Department or Corporation or Local Authority or Co-operative Society, which is engaged in provision of the services specified in the Schedule hereto, is essential to the life of the community and is likely to be impeded or interrupted, declare the services specified in the Schedule hereto to be an Essential Public Service for the purposes of the Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979,” the Gazette noted.