President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a Gazette notification effective from September 3, 2022 (yesterday), specifying again that the supply of power and all related services, petroleum production and fuel supply or distribution and health services as essential services to maintain normal public life.
The Presidential Media Division (PMD) said this Gazette notification has been published in accordance with the powers vested in the President under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979, in accordance with the request made with the recommendations of the Ministers of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Power and Energy to make health services, petroleum and electricity essential services.
Previously, an announcement was issued in August too in accordance with the powers assigned to the President stating that these services are essential.
The Prime Minister’s Secretary was instructed to take steps to table a resolution in Parliament regarding the Gazette notification, and after the adoption of the Resolution, the order remained valid for one month.
The validity period of that notification ended on September 2.
Since a request was again presented to the President with the recommendations of the Subject Ministers, steps have been taken to announce these services as essential services from September 3 through a new Gazette announcement. The Government has also taken several steps to streamline these services to afford relief to the public.
The power cut duration has been reduced with the restarting of the Norochcholai Number One plant, while the QR code system has been introduced for fuel distribution.
The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery is back in operation, which should ensure an uninterrupted supply of locally refined petroleum products in addition to regular imports of finished products such as petrol and diesel.
The Government is also addressing the shortage of certain medicines at State and private hospitals with the help of donor countries and has also issued a Gazette notification specifying the Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) of 43 essential medicines and equipment such as Pulse Oxymeters and heart stents.