- Oppose restructuring, privatisation, tariff, tax hikes, halted promotions
Nearly 15 trade unions representing the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) protested in front of the CEB Head Office yesterday (27) against the restructuring and privatisation of the CEB, the “unfair” increase in electricity tariffs, and the newly imposed taxes, among several other issues.
Speaking to the media during the protest, the CEB Billing Officers’ Union Chairman Priyantha Wickramasinghe said that CEB employees islandwide were in protest against the same.
“We opposed the restructuring of the CEB, and selling it to companies in parts. The public has understood what will happen to the electricity supply if the CEB is privatised. We also strongly oppose the increase in electricity tariffs, because, following the increase in tariffs back in August (2022), the CEB’s revenue increased from Rs. 20 billion to Rs. 35 billion (monthly). We state that the CEB can function without implementing an unfair tariff. The burden of the electricity tariff increase is mostly on the common people. There is no scientific basis to this tariff revision, so we strongly condemn this move and demand that it be amended once again scientifically.”
Speaking further, Wickramasinghe also charged: “All promotions have completely halted by now, where not a single employee can be internally promoted. After the Army, it is the CEB employees that most lose their lives during the duration of their employment. By making electricity an essential service, we have been forcefully made to work without taking any days off; therefore, we have the right to demand that you give us our proper salaries.”
Speaking of the Pay-As-You-Earn taxes that were imposed recently, he added: “The new taxes are not scientific. Although they say that the rupee has stabilised, the cost of goods has increased three-fold and under such circumstances, an individual who needed Rs. 100,000 previously now needs Rs. 200,000 to survive. These taxes are throwing people from the frying pan into the fire. We are not asking to completely revoke the taxes, but what we say is that the taxes should be levied when the people are able to live.”
Since the electricity tariff increase of 66% came into effect from 15 February, the CEB, several trade unions, civil society organisations, and the general public have been protesting against the same while demanding that the Government revoke the increase.
Meanwhile, massive protests have also been held recently by trade unions representing several sectors to roll back the tax policies that were recently introduced by the Government led by President and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe.