CEB accused of promoting staffer day before retirement to boost pension benefits

• Communique reveals staffer identified as Eng. Nilmini Perera was promoted to AGM on 14 Aug
• The same documents note her date of retirement as 15 Aug
• Another communique reveals request for promotion was made by CEB Engineers Union 
• Energy Experts calls action self-serving and says it has nothing to do with performance

Amidst ongoing stringent restructuring efforts, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is now facing allegations of promoting an employee to the position of Additional General Manager, merely a day before her scheduled retirement. This action is under scrutiny as it is suspected to be a strategic move aimed at enhancing her pension benefits. 

In a letter dated 14 August 2023, the CEB General Manager G.A.R.D.P. Seneviratne had taken steps to promote CEB Engineer N.U. Perera to Special Class of Engineering Service (Executive Category) and appoint her as the Additional General Manager in charge of subjects and functions assigned to SBU/Distribution Division 02 with immediate effect. 

“Accordingly please coordinate with Eng. K.G.R.F. Comester who is covering up the duties of Additional General Manager (Distribution Division 02) and take up duties of the post of Additional General Manager (Distribution Division 02) with immediate effect,” the internal communique read. 

In the same letter addressed to Perera, Seneviratne informs the staffer that on her retirement just a day later on 15 August 2023 she must hand over duties back to Eng. K.G.R.F. Comester who will once again cover the functions of Additional General Manager (Distribution Division 02) from 16 August 2023 onwards. 

Meanwhile, yet another communique has revealed the request to promote N.U. Perera came from the CEB Engineers Union. In the letter dated 13 August, the union writing to the CEB Chairman had canvassed on behalf of Perera. The union had highlighted her anticipation of this promotion before her retirement and emphasised her extended tenure as a dedicated union member. 

Energy Expert Dr. Vidura Ralapanawe, taking to social media yesterday slammed the decision and accused the CEB of promoting the staffer to merely increase her salary which would invariably lead to an increase in her pension. He also noted the post of Additional General Manager, is the second highest-paid job in the CEB. 

“This promotion has zero to do with performance, the future of the organisation or public good. It is just self-serving like our Parliament and Ministers. This organisation in its current form must cease to exist,” he said.