March 17, Colombo (LNW): Amid the ongoing global economic strain and rising energy concerns, the Ministry of Health has introduced a new measure allowing selected government health sector employees to work remotely every Wednesday in an effort to curb fuel consumption.
The decision was communicated through an official circular issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Dr Anil Jasinghe. The arrangement comes into effect this week and will remain in force until further notice.
Under the new directive, staff attached to several key institutions will be required to perform their duties from home on Wednesdays. This applies to all departments operating from the New Ministry Building on Castle Street, as well as those based at the Anti-Malaria Campaign headquarters in Narahenpita. Officers attached to the National Cancer Control Programme and the Health Promotion Bureau are also included in the remote working arrangement.
However, certain essential operations will continue to function on site. Activities linked to the Ministry’s Transport Division must be carried out from the Suwasiripaya building, ensuring that logistical support for health services remains uninterrupted.
Meanwhile, officers responsible for issuing licences under the Food Control Administration Unit of the Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Food Safety Division have been instructed to report to the Suwasiripaya premises on Wednesdays. This instruction has been issued under the guidance of the Acting Deputy Director General overseeing the division.
The ministry has stressed that despite the reduced physical attendance, all essential services must be maintained. Institutions affected by the directive have been asked to make suitable internal arrangements to ensure that critical public health functions continue without disruption.
Furthermore, other divisions and units within the Ministry of Health have been encouraged to minimise staff presence on Wednesdays wherever possible, keeping only the personnel required for essential duties.
Officials have been urged to carefully coordinate these temporary work arrangements so that public health services across the country remain efficient and accessible while contributing to national fuel-saving efforts.