Moreover, no one in the Government, the Energy Ministry or the Ceylon Electricity Board cared to explain to the intelligent public of the country about how electricity may be saved by this move. Thus, the decision to advance by 1 hour was never recommended by engineers, scientists, mathematicians, meteorologists, sociologists or communication specialists in the country, or by any of the professional institutions involved in electricity, communication, etc. However, there had been previous recommendations to advance by half an hour, which were apparently ignored by the decision makers of today When it was found that mornings were too dark for children to set off to school, school timing was delayed by half-an hour. Then, when it was found that there were traffic jams in Colombo and when the gap between school time and office time was inadequate for the office workers to drop their children at school, the office times too, were delayed by half-an hour. Three Benefits As discussed by various writers to the press, including Dr Arthur C Clarke, there are 3 benefits of advancing the clock in Sri Lanka.
Daylight saving is the first.
People and school children who have fixed work schedules would find more hours of daylight in the evening for their housework, gardening, recreation and shopping. On a particular day, if sunset was previously at 6.15 p.m., now it is at 7.15 p.m., effectively allowing 1 extra hour of daylight. They will have no benefit from an advanced clock. The second benefit, associated with daylight saving is the expected electricity saving. As such, there is a heavy demand for electricity for household lighting in the evening.