Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Saturday, 20 January 2024 01:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In response to recent protests against the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the work of 15 employees had been suspended for disrupting the services.
A statement from the CEB noted that 15 clerical staff members in charge of the cash counters were suspended for obstructing services and impeding the payment of electricity bills by consumers.
The suspension of the 15 cash clerks is seen as a response to the Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara’s directive issued emphasising the importance of maintaining smooth operations amid the restructuring process.
Following the protests, the Minister directed the management of the CEB to take swift action against any employee found obstructing services or acting against the guidelines issued by the organisation.
The trade unions had initiated a three-day protest campaign from 3 to 5 January, expressing concerns about the new Electricity Bill to restructure the State-run CEB. The unions argued that such restructuring could have adverse consequences.
On 1 January, the CEB Acting General Manager Dr. Narendra de Silva issued a circular cancelling all leave for CEB workers until further notice. The notice came as electricity workers across the country prepared to launch a three-day protest campaign against the proposed Sri Lanka Electricity Bill.
“To ensure uninterrupted service all leave for CEB workers is cancelled, effective 2 January 2024,” it noted.
The circular also noted an Extraordinary Gazette notification that designates the supply of electricity as an essential service.
On 18 December 2023, the Government issued an Extraordinary Gazette No.2363/02 declaring all services connected to the electricity supply as essential public services. The Gazette was issued by the power vested in President Ranil Wickremesinghe in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979.
