President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to take all possible measures to maintain the country’s energy security, emphasizing the importance of educating the public on proper energy use during the daily peak consumption period from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Highlighting the global challenge of ensuring a continuous energy supply amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the President stressed that it is the responsibility of all individuals and institutions to contribute to overcoming the energy challenges facing Sri Lanka through proper energy management.
The President made these remarks during a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat, convened to explore further measures to maintain energy security. Attention was drawn to the need for public service guidelines, particularly in translating recent government initiatives on energy management into practical action.
President Dissanayake also instructed that local government institutions be engaged in discussions on strategies to properly manage energy consumption. He noted that billboards and other decorative electrical systems used for advertising consume substantial electricity and that limiting their use could result in significant energy savings nationwide.
The meeting also considered proposals from the Ministry of Transport and Highways aimed at minimizing non-essential street lighting in urban areas and improving energy management. The President further emphasized the need for all relevant parties to urgently discuss and adopt alternative measures in this regard.
Officials present at the discussion included Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Senior Professor Kapila C. K. Perera, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Chairman of the Road Development Authority T. Paskaran, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, and a group of senior government officials.
