Government Broadens Remote Working Across Public Sector Amid Global Pressures
April 27, Colombo (LNW): In response to continuing instability in the Middle East and its knock-on effects on the global economy—particularly disruptions to fuel supplies impacting Sri Lanka—the government has taken further steps to expand remote working throughout the public sector.
Earlier measures had already curtailed in-office operations as a way to conserve fuel reserves and manage national energy consumption more efficiently.
Building on this approach, the Cabinet Committee on the Systematic Maintenance of Public Services, led by the Prime Minister, has instructed the Ministry of Digital Economy to assess how remote working can be more widely implemented.
This effort is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, signalling a coordinated push towards modernising state operations.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Digital Economy has released a set of interim guidelines aimed at helping government institutions transition smoothly to remote service delivery and routine administrative work. These guidelines, published in Sinhala, Tamil and English, are accessible via the ministry’s official website: https://mode.gov.lk/docs/guidelines.
Officials indicated that the move is not merely a temporary fix but could form the basis of longer-term reforms in how public services are delivered.
The Ministry has also reiterated that, under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, documents created, approved and shared in electronic formats hold full legal validity. This includes the acceptance of scanned and digital signatures, as well as communications conducted through official government email channels.
To streamline virtual interactions, authorities have recommended the use of the “meet.gov.lk” platform as the primary tool for video conferencing across government bodies. However, other commercial platforms may still be used on a temporary basis where necessary, offering some flexibility during the transition.
In addition, department heads have been called upon to prioritise improving the digital capabilities of their staff, while ensuring robust safeguards are in place to protect sensitive data. These measures align with broader efforts to enhance the efficiency and resilience of public services under the government’s Digital Economy Blueprint, which remains a central policy focus.
Separately, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued Circular No. 02/2026, dated 23 April 2026. This directive requires ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries and heads of departments to formally notify public officials and ensure the swift implementation of the newly introduced guidelines.
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