Govt. rolls out public sector remote work guidelines

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 02:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government yesterday announced that it has moved to expand remote working across the public sector, issuing interim digital guidelines to ensure continuity of services while easing pressure on fuel and energy resources amid ongoing Middle East tensions.

The initiative, led by the Digital Economy Ministry, follows directives from a Cabinet committee chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, which called for greater use of remote work to manage operational demands during the current energy constraints.

In a statement issued by the Digital Economy Ministry, Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala said the guidelines provide recommendations to heads of Government institutions on leveraging digital technologies for both service delivery and internal administrative functions, enabling a shift towards hybrid or fully remote work arrangements where feasible. Accordingly, the Ministry has compiled guidelines in all three languages available at https://mode.dov.lk/docs/guidelines.

The Ministry emphasised that under the Electronic Transactions Act, No. 19 of 2006, Government documents can be legally created, approved, and circulated in electronic form. Scanned signatures, digital signatures, and official Government email communications are recognised as valid.

Public institutions have been encouraged to utilise the Government’s official video conferencing platform, meet.gov.lk, for virtual meetings, while allowing the temporary use of other commercial platforms where necessary.

The guidelines also call on Department Heads to strengthen digital literacy among public officers and ensure strict safeguards for official data, particularly as more services shift online.

Authorities said the move aligns with the Government’s broader Digital Economy Blueprint, aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility of public services through technology.

The Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry has issued Circular No. 02/2026 dated 23 April directing all Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and Heads of Departments to implement the guidelines and inform staff accordingly.