CEB Trade Unions intensify protest Threat of power cuts looms?

• All authorities notified in writing of the work to rule campaign
• Unions decided to suspend all work regulations from 4:15 p.m. yesterday 
• Maintenance, breakdown work will only be done during standard eight-hour working period  

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

The country is at risk of facing power cuts and potential instability following the Electricity Engineers’ Union’s decision to suspend all work regulations from 4:15 p.m. yesterday, intensifying its ongoing trade union action, Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance Convener Ananda Palitha warned.   

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Palitha said the decision was not taken arbitrarily but after formally notifying all relevant authorities in writing. He added that the letters clearly outlined the reasons behind the union’s decision to withdraw from work regulations.   

“All maintenance and breakdown work will only be carried out during the standard eight-hour working period. Beyond that, no maintenance or breakdown work will take place, regardless of urgency,” he said.   

Palitha noted that the union’s protest, which began over the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), has since expanded to include stalled promotions, unpaid salary arrears, and the demand for the temporary Rs. 10,000 allowance to be made permanent. The union is also calling for a 25 percent salary increase with arrears, effective from January 1, 2024.  >>A2  

He further alleged that there had been no response from the Power and Energy Ministry and that no official was available to address the crisis. “We voted for this government, but the officials appointed to handle these issues have failed. There is no balance in the CEB unions, and if this continues, the country will definitely face a blackout soon,” he said.    

Palitha also criticized the Electricity (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament, which restructures the CEB into five state-owned companies. “The CEB, a long-standing state institution, has been pushed towards its end. While the new companies will be state-owned, the government has opened the door for private investment in the power sector. Employees will be absorbed into the new entities with their consent,” he added.   

He said that once the restructuring is completed and the five companies are registered, existing employees will be required to resign from the CEB to join the new entities.   

Meanwhile, Power and Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala said no special arrangements had been made to address electricity breakdowns resulting from the ongoing work-to-rule campaign by CEB technicians. He confirmed that the CEB General Manager had been informed of the situation.   

Several attempts to contact the CEB Chairman and the Minister were unsuccessful.   

However, the CEB has reaffirmed its commitment to providing an uninterrupted electricity supply to the nation, and all services related to electricity supply have been declared essential public services under Gazette No. 2458/68. 

He further alleged that there had been no response from the Power and Energy Ministry and that no official was available to address the crisis. “We voted for this government, but the officials appointed to handle these issues have failed. There is no balance in the CEB unions, and if this continues, the country will definitely face a blackout soon,” he said.   

Palitha also criticized the Electricity (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament, which restructures the CEB into five state-owned companies. “The CEB, a long-standing state institution, has been pushed towards its end. While the new companies will be state-owned, the government has opened the door for private investment in the power sector. Employees will be absorbed into the new entities with their consent,” he added.   

He said that once the restructuring is completed and the five companies are registered, existing employees will be required to resign from the CEB to join the new entities.   

Meanwhile, Power and Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala said no special arrangements had been made to address electricity breakdowns resulting from the ongoing work-to-rule campaign by CEB technicians. He confirmed that the CEB General Manager had been informed of the situation.   

Several attempts to contact the CEB Chairman and the Minister were unsuccessful.   

However, the CEB has reaffirmed its commitment to providing an uninterrupted electricity supply to the nation, and all services related to electricity supply have been declared essential public services under Gazette No. 2458/68.