State of Public Emergency Extended : Numerous Services Continue to be Designated as Essential Services

COLOMBO (News 1st):An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued extending the state of public emergency, with the aim of restoring civilian life disrupted by the disaster situation.

This was issued by order of the President, under the signature of the Secretary to the President, Dr. N.S. Kumanayake.

The extrodinary gazette notification states that the extension is deemed appropriate in the interest of public security, the protection of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

Meanwhile, the extraordinary gazette notification designating 15 categories of services as essential services has also been extended.

This gazette was issued by order of the President, under the signature of the Secretary to the President, Dr. N.S. Kumanayake.

Accordingly, an extraordinary gazette has been issued declaring the following as essential services:

Electricity, fuel, and water supply

Health services and ambulances

Transport and roads

Food supply

District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats, and field officers

The Central Bank, state banks, and insurance services

Irrigation

Telephone, telecommunications, and media

Reclamation and development of Low-lying lands

Agriculture and agricultural insurance

The relevant gazette notifications are scheduled to be tabled for parliamentary approval during the upcoming parliamentary week.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake initially declared a state of emergency on the 29th of last month, with the aim of maintaining necessary services following the disaster that hit the country.