An extraordinary gazette notification was issued yesterday (28th), declaring several services as essential services. This extraordinary gazette has been issued by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by virtue of the powers vested in him under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979.

The Department of Government Information states that this includes all services related to the supply of electricity, fuel, petroleum products, gas supply or distribution, hospitals, dispensaries, passenger or goods transport, as well as state media, including the Government Press.

This order has declared the services mentioned in the schedule below as essential services, taking into account the post-disaster situation caused by Cyclone 'Ditwa', and considering that these services are essential to maintain normalcy in public life and that any disruption or hindrance could affect them.

By order of the President, this essential services gazette notification was issued last night (28th) under the signature of the Secretary to the President, Dr. N.S. Kumanayake.

The essential services are as follows:

1. All services connected with the supply of electricity.

2. The supply or distribution of fuel, including petroleum products and gas.

3. All services, work, or labour of any description necessary or required to be done in connection with the maintenance, reception, care, feeding, and treatment of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and other similar institutions.

4. Public transport services for passengers or goods.

5. Facilities and maintenance of transport services for roads, railways, or airways, and tourism services, including roads, bridges, culverts, airports, ports, and railway lines.

6. All services connected with water supply and drainage.

7. All services connected with the supply, preservation, and distribution of food and essential items.

8. All services, work, or labour of any nature necessary or required to be performed by field-level officers of all District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats, including all District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi Development Officers, Agricultural Research Assistants, Community Empowerment Officers, and 'Clean Sri Lanka' core team officers.

9. Ambulance services.

10. All state banking and insurance services, including the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

11. Any function carried out by a local authority and all services performed by local authorities for water supply, electricity, drainage and sewerage systems, firefighting and ambulance services, scavenging and garbage disposal (including the removal and disposal of excreta).

12. All services connected with irrigation.

13. All services connected with telephone, telecommunications, and media.

14. All services connected with the reclamation and development of low-lying areas.

15. All services connected with agricultural and agricultural insurance services.

Commemorating the triple blessed events of the Buddha (Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing away), the 2026 State Vesak Festival will commence tomorrow (27th), centered around the Matara district. The main ceremony of the State Vesak Festival is scheduled to be held at the Midellawala Purana Viharaya.

Concurrent with the State Vesak Festival, which will be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the period from May 27th to June 2nd has been declared as "Vesak Week."

A series of religious, social, and environmental programs have been planned throughout the island during Vesak Week. Accordingly, health programs will be conducted on May 28th, value promotion programs on the 29th, Sil and meditation programs on the 30th, training programs for Buddhist monks and Sil Mata (Buddhist nuns) on the 31st, spiritual development programs on June 1st, and environmental conservation programs in line with the "Clean Sri Lanka" initiative on June 2nd.

The Sri Lanka Police has announced that a special security plan will also be implemented island-wide for the safety of the public during this Vesak season. Security has been tightened as large crowds are expected to gather in areas where Vesak zones, pandols (thoran), and devotional song (Bhakthi Gee) performances are held.

Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who is currently attending the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), met with Yohei Sasakawa, the Chairman of Japan's Nippon Foundation, for a special bilateral discussion. The meeting focused significantly on various ongoing projects funded by the Nippon Foundation in Sri Lanka, as well as hospital development initiatives.

The discussions also touched upon special projects aimed at contributing to the improvement of public health, education, and the welfare of the disabled community in Sri Lanka, alongside addressing rural poverty—a key priority on the country's development agenda.

A noteworthy aspect of this meeting was that Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, speaking in his capacity as the Chairperson of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Health Forum, placed a special emphasis on the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services and methodologies implemented across leading countries in the region.

The Nippon Foundation is one of the world's leading private foundations based in Japan, dedicated to social welfare, global ocean conservation, and humanitarian aid. The foundation actively implements humanitarian and social welfare services, including the elimination of leprosy, supporting persons with disabilities, and driving global educational and agricultural projects.

The occasion was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Health and Media representing Sri Lanka at the 79th World Health Assembly, as well as representatives from the Nippon Foundation.

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Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, stated in Parliament recently (20th) that certain civil society and media organizations cannot survive without an oppressive and violent state. She noted that while these entities seemingly desire such a violent, rogue, and malicious state, no such environment will be created under the National People's Power (NPP) government.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that a free and peaceful environment has been established in the country today. She further pointed out that despite being fully aware of the government’s positive interventions regarding the media community and the Right to Information (RTI) Commission, certain organizations are deliberately attempting to propagate misconceptions within society.

Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne made these remarks while addressing the House during the parliamentary debate held on the 20th.

Further expressing her views, the Deputy Minister stated that a certain media organization had issued a press release distorting a statement she had previously made. She emphasized that this distortion was by no means accidental.

The final discussion regarding the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone was held yesterday (20th) at Temple Trees, chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputanthri.

The discussion primarily focused on the organizational activities of the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone and energy consumption during the period the Vesak zone is held.

Key Highlights of the Discussion:

• Relaxation of Energy Restrictions: Attendees were briefed on the relaxation of government-imposed regulations on fuel and electricity usage specifically for the Vesak festival.

• Committee Coordination: Information was gathered from officials of the committees appointed to successfully organize and coordinate the activities of the Vesak zone.

• Focus on Spiritual Devotion (Prathipaththi Pooja): The Chief Incumbent of the Colombo Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, stated that due to the ongoing crisis, a decision was made to use fuel and electricity sparingly compared to previous years. Accordingly, arrangements have been made within the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone to illuminate the festive spirit while prioritizing Prathipaththi Pooja (spiritual devotion) with minimal fuel and electricity costs, comforting the minds of devotees through Aamisa Pooja (material offerings).

• Operating Hours: The Thero further mentioned that this year's Vesak zone is scheduled to be held from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM (midnight

A discussion was held yesterday (18th) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat between the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka, and representatives of the Bauddhaloka Vesak Committee.

Organized for the 25th consecutive year in view of this year's Vesak festival, the Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone is scheduled to be held from May 30th to June 1st, centered around Bauddhaloka Mawatha.

Under the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and through the intervention of the Presidential Secretariat, arrangements have been made to hold this event on a grand scale with the contribution of all public and private sector institutions. The preliminary preparations and the provision of facilities for the public were discussed at length during the meeting.

The Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Balthazaar, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Chandra Nimal Wakishta, Vice President Roshan Maddumage, Treasurer Wasantha de Silva, along with officials from government institutions, senior officers of the security forces, and representatives of sponsoring companies were among those present at the occasion.

The State Vesak Festival for the Buddhist Era (B.E.) 2570, falling in the year 2026, will commence on May 27 at the Midellawela Purana Viharaya in Tihagoda, Matara, under the patronage of the President. This was stated by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.

The Minister made these remarks today (18) during a press conference held at the Department of Government Information to brief the media regarding the State Vesak Festival

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The 79th World Health Assembly commenced on the 16th in Geneva and will continue until the 22nd.

Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, is scheduled to participate in several sessions held concurrently with the assembly and is also set to address the main assembly today (18).

During this assembly period, Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa will also engage in bilateral discussions with Health Ministers from several participating countries, including Bhutan, Thailand, and Bangladesh, as well as with various organizations, including the Nippon Foundation.

In October 2025, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Media, was appointed as the Chairperson of the 78th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South and South-East Asian countries.

Accordingly, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa represents the 79th World Health Assembly this time, both as the country's Minister of Health and as the Chairperson of the regional committee comprising South and South-East Asian nations.

A ceremony to issue two new postage stamps, specifically designed to streamline the postal requirements of Honorable Members of Parliament, was held recently at the Parliament Library premises.

The event was presided over by the Honorable Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, with the participation of several Ministers, Members of Parliament, and high-ranking government officials.

Key Details:

• Stamp Values: Rs. 20.00 and Rs. 70.00

• Issuing Authority: The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Post, Sri Lanka.

• Primary Objective: To facilitate the efficient and expeditious handling of the diverse postal needs of Parliamentarians.

The introduction of these new stamps is expected to further formalize and enhance the official correspondence processes of the people's representatives, ensuring a more organized communication network between the legislature and the public.