• Alleges that key members of drafting comm. were absent along with no media presence  
• Energy Secy. cum Acting CEB Chair says open to talks with TUs, denies any blackout 

The Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) claimed the public consultation on the proposed National Electricity Policy, which was held on Wednesday (21), was not successful.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that while six members had been appointed to the committee that prepared the policy, only three had attended the public consultation session. He also said that the former Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairperson Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, who is said to have drafted the policy, was not present at the event.

“The consultation was organised at very short notice. We were informed by phone to attend the session the night before. The manner in which it was conducted did not allow for proper public input on a national policy. Media personnel had not been informed either. A national policy should not be implemented in such an ad hoc manner. It needs proper planning at every stage,” he said.

Dhammika also said that the inclusion of a retired senior official of the CEB on the committee is problematic, alleging the said official bears responsibility for the continued reliance on coal power and the present condition of the electricity sector. He opined the proposed policy goes against existing laws, claiming that it seeks to remove the authority of the Public Utilities Commission to determine electricity tariffs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry stated that it remains open to negotiations with the trade unions (TUs) of the CEB but has not received any formal requests to date regarding the TU actions. Speaking to The Daily Morning, Ministry Secretary and Acting CEB Chairperson, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala said that no CEB union has officially notified the Ministry of planned TU action or sought discussions. He added that the Ministry would address concerns if approached formally.

“Trying to showcase an issue as such is an organised work action taken to hinder the programme of the Government,” Prof. Hemapala said. When questioned about union fears that electricity bills could rise or employees might lose jobs under the proposed reforms, he stated that no such issues had been identified.

He also addressed warnings from a group of electrical engineers that the country could face a complete blackout if reforms proceed despite union objections. He insisted that there is no such threat.

However, media reports indicate that 24 electricity sector unions, including the Engineers’ Association, the Technical Engineers and Officers’ Association, and the Industrial Technicians’ Association are preparing for a nationwide strike. According to them, the action aims to halt Government plans to unbundle the CEB into four separate institutions. The reports were followed by the concerns of a group of the country’s electricity engineers’ warning that Sri Lanka could face widespread power outages if the Government dissolves the CEB without addressing union demands.