CEB Unions Intensify Protest, Government Issues Emergency Gazette

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Sri Lankan government issued an extraordinary gazette declaring all electricity-related services as essential, following intensified trade union action by employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). 

The move, effective from midnight yesterday (21), comes as several unions withdrew from all procurement duties in protest over unresolved demands.

Trade unions representing CEB employees have escalated their “work-to-rule” campaign, now entering its third phase. 

The unions, which began their latest round of industrial action on the 18th, have vowed to continue until the 24th of this month. 

Union leaders, including Kosala Abeysinghe, President of the CEB Technical Engineers’ Association, stated that further discussions are planned to address the ongoing dispute. 

The unions are pressing for solutions to 24 key demands, including overdue promotions, salary adjustments, and the removal of the cap on voluntary retirement benefits.

The government’s decision to declare electricity services essential was made under presidential powers, with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted power supply and minimizing disruptions to daily life. 

The gazette notification emphasizes the critical nature of electricity services and the need to prevent any hindrance to their delivery.

The trade union action has seen participation from 25 unions, including those affiliated with major opposition parties and engineering associations. 

Recent days have witnessed a range of measures, from sick leave protests to work-to-rule campaigns and demonstrations.

Negotiations between union representatives and CEB management, led by Chairman Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, have so far yielded limited progress, with only seven out of 42 registered unions attending the most recent talks.

As the dispute continues, the government has reiterated its commitment to restructuring the CEB in line with the recently passed Electricity Act, which will see the board divided into four state-owned companies. 

Many union demands center on securing benefits and protections during this restructuring process.