Kathmandu. Colombo: Sri Lanka has decided to change the working schedule of government employees in a bid to manage fuel shortages in the country.

According to a notice issued on Tuesday, from March 18, government employees will be given a weekly holiday on every Wednesday.

Commissioner for Essential Services Prabhat Chandrakirthi said that all government schools, universities and courts will remain closed on Wednesday. However, the decision will not apply to essential services such as health care, ports, water supply and customs.

The heads of government agencies will have the right to call employees to work within the remaining four working days based on the needs of the work.

In view of the fuel crisis, the government has suspended all government programs until further notice. The government has also requested private sector organizations to adopt similar arrangements as far as possible.