March 16 (Citizen.lk News) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Ministry Secretaries yesterday to look into the feasibility of maintaining essential fuel reserves at regional level and carrying out official duties from home (remote working).
The President emphasised maintaining essential fuel reserves at regional level should be explored particularly for sectors such as health as tensions in the Middle East continues to escalate disrupting fuel supplies. He told Ministry Secretaries and heads of several State Institutions to submit reports on the matter. As it is difficult to make accurate predictions regarding possible future developments, the President emphasised the need for advance preparedness to face any potential situation that may arise. He also highlighted the importance of further streamlining the digital QR code system that has already been introduced for this purpose.
The President further instructed officials to promptly rectify and update the shortcomings, identified in the currently implemented digital QR code system. He stressed that authorities must remain under constant monitoring and maintain close attention to emerging developments. Rather than making isolated decisions for individual sectors, he emphasised the need to consider the situation as a whole, identify alternative mechanisms relevant to the prevailing challenges, and implement them accordingly. He also advised officials to act swiftly with mutual understanding and co-ordination in addressing the situation.
The President made these observations during a discussion with ministry secretaries, along with several heads of institutions, yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat regarding issues that have arisen in maintaining essential services properly in light of the emerging war situation in the Middle East.
Special attention was given to sectors such as health, education, industry, agriculture, and fisheries. During the meeting, the respective ministry secretaries briefed the President on updated fuel requirements and other needs within each of these sectors.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath; Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Presidential Advisor on the Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya; Presidential Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Tilaka Jayasundara; Education Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa; Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Miistry Secretary Aloka Bandara; Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe; Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Varuna Dhanapala; Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ministry Secretary Kolitha Kamal, along with several other heads of institutions.
Meanwhile, a special discussion on the next steps to be taken in view of the situation arising from the conflict in the Middle East was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (15).
During the meeting, attention was drawn to the disruptions affecting energy supply networks, including coal, gas and oil, caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The measures already taken by relevant sectors to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply, as well as proposed alternative options to address these challenges, were reviewed.
It was noted that the situation has had a significant impact not only on Sri Lanka but on countries around the world. The President pointed out that, through the proper planning and implementation of alternative methods such as the digital quota system and work-from-home arrangements, the impact on the national economy could be minimised. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining an effective communication mechanism to keep the public continuously informed about emerging developments.
Discussions were also held on promptly addressing the difficulties faced by individuals who had not previously registered under the digital quota system currently in operation. Attention was further focused on possible measures to respond to new developments in the industrial sector by bringing together both the public and private sectors.
