Sri Lanka grants Wednesdays off for public sector institutions to help conserve energy

The move aims to cut fuel usage across government operations by at least 25%, while avoiding prolonged service disruptions.

Sri Lanka will designate Wednesdays as public holidays for the public sector as part of efforts to reduce fuel consumption and manage ongoing energy supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

The announcement was made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a special media briefing at the Presidential Secretariat on 17 March 2026, where authorities outlined a series of measures to stabilise the economy and ensure continuity of essential services.

Under the arrangement, public sector institutions will operate on a two-days-on, one-day-off cycle, with Wednesdays set aside as a weekly holiday. The move aims to cut fuel usage across government operations by at least 25%, while avoiding prolonged service disruptions.

According to the President, a mid-week break was chosen over consecutive days off to maintain continuity, given that most public services still require in-person visits due to limited digitalisation. Work-from-home arrangements will be allowed in divisions where online systems are already in place.

Beyond the new work schedule, President Anura said the government is taking steps to secure fuel, gas, and coal supplies through expedited tenders and international partnerships, while also introducing a QR code system to manage fuel distribution.

He added that essential sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and food supply chains, will continue to receive priority fuel allocations to prevent disruptions.

Read the full statement here.

The above comes as countries in the region step up measures to tackle rising fuel costs and reduce energy consumption. Earlier this month, the Philippines announced the shift to a four-day work week for executive offices, later encouraging private sector employers to take up similar flexible work arrangements.

In the same period, Malaysia announced that BUDI95 petrol prices will remain unchanged despite the global volatility, but other cost-saving measures have been put in place, such as limiting overseas visits by ministers and members of the administration.

At the same time, while no measures have been undertaken in Singapore yet, Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng has shared that electricity price hikes may be on the rise depending on how the ongoing crisis progresses.

Lead image / President Anura's Facebook