Amid rising tensions in the Middle East that could potentially disrupt fuel imports, Sri Lanka’s Essential Services Office has issued guidelines on fuel and energy conservation for government bodies.
The directive has been circulated to ministry secretaries, provincial and district officials, as well as heads of government and statutory institutions. It recommends adopting measures to reduce fuel and electricity consumption across the public sector.
According to the guidelines, employees are encouraged to avoid using private vehicles and instead use public transportation or carpool whenever possible. Government agencies have also been instructed to prepare daily transport plans to reduce the number of vehicles used for official fieldwork.
For electricity and energy savings, the recommendations include maximizing the use of natural light, using electric fans instead of air conditioners, and promoting the use of stairs while limiting elevator usage.
Local government bodies have been directed to switch off street lights during unnecessary hours and temporarily turn off lighting outside high-security areas.
The guidelines also encourage heads of institutions to allow employees to work from home, where feasible, instead of requiring physical office attendance.
All public officials have been urged to act responsibly, set an example for the public, and fully support national efforts toward energy conservation and security.
Urjasanchar