Essential Service Violation: Striking Electricity Workers Ordered Back to Work Immediately

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Pubudu Niroshana, Head of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Restructuring Task Force, says that 17,874 power outages have been reported across the island.

Efforts to restore the supply have been hindered by trade union action initiated by several unions.

Meanwhile, the Chairmen of the four successor electricity companies have issued a directive to striking workers to report for duty immediately.

In letters addressed to the employees, it is noted that, under the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act No. 36 of 2024, all services of the CEB were transferred to four successor companies as of the 9th of March. 

Employees have already been transferred to these specific successor companies.

As electricity is currently classified as an essential service, the Chairmen emphasized that employees neglecting their duties are committing a serious offense under essential service regulations.

Accordingly, workers have been instructed to engage in their assigned duties within the power sector immediately.

In another development, a special discussion is underway between representatives of the striking trade unions and the Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe.