PUCSL Chief threatens legal action against CEB trade union

PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake 

• Janaka Ratnayake warns severe repercussions if power disruptions found as attempts of sabotage
• Receives several complaints on power cuts imposed in many parts of the country
• Claims certain individuals sabotaged hydro power generation in Randenigala, Rantembe, Senanayake reservoirs yesterday

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) says it will take legal action against the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade unions pertaining to the announcement of a blackout yesterday.

“An investigation will be conducted by the commission on the partial power disruptions that took place yesterday morning due to the trade union action by the CEB Engineers’ Union and issued statements on planned 24-hour blackout. Thus, an enforcement order will be issued to prevent similar incidents from repeating,” PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake told journalists yesterday.

He said necessary action will also be taken if the power disruption is found to have been attempts of sabotage. 

“The PUCSL has no issues with the CEB launching a trade union action that does not disrupt the supply of electricity will be allowed. However, the Commission will not tolerate if the public is disturbed due to their actions,” he said.

Ratnayake said if found guilty, members of the CEBEU could face a five-year prison sentence and fines.

As per the PUCSL Chief, several complaints were received on power cuts that were imposed in many parts of the country yesterday morning, adding the disruptions were illegal.

"A written complaint was received by the Irrigation Department alleging that the engineers have set the system ready for an automatic shutdown of the power generation grids at Randenigala, Rantambe and Senanayake Samudra reservoirs from 2 a.m. yesterday and those engineers did not take any action to restore power until 8 a.m. yesterday," he charged.

In addition, he said there were also complainants on four-hour power cuts between 4 a.m. and to 8 a.m., though the PUCSL approved only two-hours-and-15-minutes power cuts.

He requested the unions to refrain from taking such actions, warning that firm legal action would be taken if such activities are carried out in future.

PUCSL Chief also said that the Commission has already informed the Government on fuel requirement till December 2022 to ensure the continuous supply of electricity.

He said the Commission will carefully monitor all the proposals that are received for electricity generations and would not approve them if it does not meet the requirements. 

“All the proposals will have to go through the process of approval of the PUCSL,” Ratnayake added.