Public Emergency Re‑imposed from February 28; 15 Services Declared Essential

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan government has extended the State Of Public Emergency, with the declaration re‑issued under the signature of the Secretary to the President.

According to the newly issued Extraordinary Gazette, the state of public emergency has been made effective again from February 28.

The Gazette notes that the emergency has been extended in order to ensure public security, maintain public order, and safeguard the continuity of essential supplies and services required for public life.

The government has emphasized through the Gazette that the extension is necessitated by the ongoing public emergency situation in the country.

The President had previously given an assurance that no action would be taken to violate the civil rights of the public through the use of emergency powers.

Meanwhile, a separate Extraordinary Gazette, which had earlier declared 15 services as essential, has also been extended.
Accordingly, the following sectors and related officials continue to be designated as essential services:

Electricity
Fuel
Health services
Transport
Roads
Water
Food
District Secretariat offices
Divisional Secretariat offices
Ambulance services
Central Bank
State banks and insurance services
Irrigation
Telecommunications
Postal and media services
Landslide prevention and mitigation
Agriculture and agricultural insurance

The renewed declaration ensures that these services remain operational under essential service regulations during the extended period of emergency.