CEB, Port & Petroleum workers to stage massive island-wide protests today (3)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The trade unions attached to Electricity, Ports and Petroleum services are set to stage a joint-protest campaign today (03) against the Government's attempts to hand over shares of the Yugadanavi Power Plant and Sri Lanka's LNG supply to New Fortress Energy Inc.

Secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Board Trade Union Alliance, Ranjan Jayalal, said that the trade unions will NOT take responsibility for today's power outages.

He said a massive protest will be staged at 12 noon today, opposite the head office of the Ceylon Electricity Board adding that CEB workers from the North, East, and areas like Ampara are on their way to Colombo to join the protest.

Jayalal also noted that protests will be staged by Ports and Petroleum workers at their respective locations of work, in support of the protest launched by the CEB.

He also noted that if power failures are reported due to inclement weather, there will be delays in the restoration of the supply of electricity, adding that only selected employees will be on duty to ensure the continuous supply of electricity to essential locations.

President of the Ceylon Petroleum General Employees Union, Ashok Ranwala said the national assets of the country including Ports, Electricity, and Petroleum, which are also vital economic components are at high risk at present.

He said "It is our duty to ensure that the future generations' right for these national assets that are being put at risk, sold to foreign entities and destroyed. Therefore, we will show our strong objection against these efforts to destroy national assets."

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the All Ceylon Port Common Workers Association Niroshan Gorakana said a massive protest will be staged from 12 noon to 1:00 PM at the Clock Tower in Fort.

He said if the Ports Authority and the Subject Minister fail to provide proper responses to the protest campaign, strict measures will follow.

Is the government ready to face the trade union action of Electricity, Petroleum, and Ports employees?

News 1st inquired with Minister of Power, Gamini Lokuge and he said all trade unions of the CEB excluding the JVP trade unions will be on duty today adding that there will NO power failures today.

He said "A minor group will stage protests. But only a very limited group will join the protests from the Electricity, Ports and Petroleum services."

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), M.M.C. Ferdinando told a media briefing in Colombo yesterday (02) that it would be a serious breach of discipline if employees of the CEB went on a strike on Wednesday (3) and Thursday (4)