Ministry of Public Administration turns down request for Work from Home facility

The secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, J.J Ratnasiri turned down the request of setting up work from home arrangements for state employees.

He confirmed that even though he has received a request from the Commissioner General of Essential Services K.D.S. Ruwanchandra whether it is possible to call a small amount f of state employees to work and allow the majority at home in view of the fuel crisis.

Responding to the request made, he pointed out that that request cannot be considered at the moment in this given current situation. Mr Ratnasiri also pointed out that for the last two years, state employees worked from home yet the work was not properly carried out and services were disrupted.

He explained that employees who report to work demand a salary increase considering current fuel prices while it has been proposed to reduce the salary of those who are engaged in work from home facilities. 

However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the Parliament said that if the state officials are not engaging in any important or essential work they can work from home in view of the fuel crisis.