The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has instructed all State institutions to fly the national flag at half-mast today (Aug. 21), tomorrow (Aug. 22), and Aug. 23.The directive has been communicated to Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, District Secretaries/Government Agents, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Corporations and Statutory Boards under Home Affairs Circular No. 04/2026.The circular, issued on Aug. 21, 2026, was signed by the Secretary to the Ministry – S. Aloka Bandara.

The Government has also declared 03 days of national mourning from today following the death of legendary Sri Lankan singer Visharada Nanda Malini.Earlier today, Parliament also observed a one-minute silence in memory of the veteran singer.