Colombo, March 2026 — Sri Lanka has introduced a four-day working week by declaring every Wednesday a public holiday for most government institutions, schools, and universities. The move aims to conserve fuel as the ongoing war in the Middle East disrupts oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement was made around March 16-18, 2026, following an emergency meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Civil servants have been advised to work from home (WFH) wherever possible. The government has also urged the private sector to follow suit — implementing a 4-day week and sending about 50% of staff to work remotely to reduce commuting and fuel consumption.
Essential services such as hospitals, ports, immigration, and customs will continue to operate normally. Public ceremonies have been suspended as part of broader austerity measures. Fuel rationing and price hikes have already been introduced in the country.
Why This Decision?
The US-Israel conflict with Iran has severely affected global oil and gas shipments. Sri Lanka, heavily dependent on imports, is preparing for potential prolonged shortages. Similar energy-saving steps are being taken across Asia to stretch limited reserves.
Bangladesh and Other Countries
Bangladesh has not announced a full national Work From Home or 4-day work week policy so far. However, the government has taken several austerity measures due to the energy crunch:
Shorter working hours in government offices
Limits on air-conditioning (set to 25°C)
Early closure of universities and forward-shifting of holidays
Fuel supply restrictions and promotion of public transport
Other energy-saving steps include reduced non-essential travel and calls to avoid unnecessary electricity use.355a06
In other Asian countries:
Pakistan: Introduced a 4-day work week for government offices, school closures, and encouraged 50% staff to work from home on a rotational basis.
Philippines: Shifted to a 4-day work week for public officials and declared a national energy emergency.
Thailand: Ordered civil servants to work from home, use stairs instead of elevators, raise AC temperatures, and wear lighter clothes.
Vietnam: Urged businesses to allow employees to work from home to reduce travel and fuel use.
These measures reflect a region-wide response to the fuel supply disruptions caused by the Iran conflict. Many countries are reviving COVID-era remote work strategies to cut down on transportation fuel demand.7f8034
India has not made any similar nationwide announcement yet but is monitoring the situation closely, with some restrictions on commercial LPG supplies.
The situation remains fluid. Governments are advising citizens to prepare for possible longer-term impacts if the Middle East crisis continues.
