Sri Lanka just launched a four-day work week and declared Wednesdays a holiday—and the Iran War is why

Sri Lanka has just introduced a four‑day workweek—not to boost work‑life balance, but because the war in Iran is threatening to drain its petrol tanks dry.  The government has declared every Wednesday a holiday for most public institutions in a desperate bid to slash petrol use, as war in the Middle East threatens vital oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.All state institutions, along with schools and universities, will shift to a four-day work week, starting this Wednesday. Essential services like hospitals will stay open, but everyone else is being told to stay home, log on where possible, and use as little gas as they can. 

Even the private sector is being asked to follow the mandate, too.

Sri Lanka government has declared Wednesdays a holiday from 18 March 2026 for Government employees, schools, universities and courts, the Commissioner General of Essential Services says. Private institutions have also been requested to follow, while all Government events are… pic.twitter.com/mmAp5EKjSO— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) March 16, 2026

Sri Lanka government has declared Wednesdays a holiday from 18 March 2026 for Government employees, schools, universities and courts, the Commissioner General of Essential Services says. Private institutions have also been requested to follow, while all Government events are… pic.twitter.com/mmAp5EKjSO

Officials say Sri Lanka has roughly just six........

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