A Public Holiday Every Week? Sri Lankans Bemoan the Enforced Day Off.
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Sri Lanka's government declared every Wednesday a public holiday to ration fuel amid supply shortages caused by the Iran war, leading to unusually quiet streets in the capital, Colombo.
- The midweek holiday has negatively impacted businesses, with vendors like vegetable seller Rendage Samadhara reporting a 50% drop in sales and needing to reduce prices to move stock.
- Residents expressed concerns about the economic and educational effects, including reduced business revenue and potential learning disruptions for students.
- The measure is part of a broader set of actions announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address the country's escalating energy crisis affecting the 22 million population.
