- Follows Labour CG’s assurance of audience with Prez today
- 12,000 electricity breakdowns reported islandwide
More than 12,000 electricity breakdowns were reported islandwide as a trade union action by power sector workers disrupted distribution services, despite uninterrupted generation and transmission operations, officials said yesterday (11).
Around 25 power sector TUs launched strike action from 3 p.m. on Monday (9), citing the Government’s failure to positively respond to workers’ demands, particularly over the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). While power plants and essential operations continued, unions halted breakdown repairs and maintenance work.
Power outages were recorded in Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Beruwala, Puttalam, and Anuradhapura, causing inconvenience to thousands of households and businesses. Authorities said technical teams are now working to restore supply in affected areas.
The TUs called off the strike yesterday evening following discussions with the Labour Commissioner General and the management of the newly established electricity sector companies. An agreement was signed after talks, during which the Labour Commissioner General assured that union representatives would be granted a meeting with the President today (12).
Power sector unions had submitted 64 demands relating to sector restructuring and employee rights. According to officials, 62 demands have been agreed upon, while arrangements have been made for discussions with the President on the remaining two.
Speaking at a media briefing, Chairperson of Electricity Generation Lanka (Private) Limited, Dr. J.G.A. Saliya Jayasekara, said all power plants are operating normally.
“All power plants are generating electricity. Employees are carrying out their duties without any act of sabotage. There is no issue. We request consumers and industrialists not to fear,” he said.
Chairperson of Electricity Distribution Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., Engineer Rohitha Jayarathna, said electricity is distributed through four main networks and that certain issues were reported during the TU action. He confirmed discussions had been held with the Energy Minister regarding the situation.
“Employees have a right to engage in TU action, but we urge them not to inconvenience consumers. We are making all possible efforts to restore breakdowns,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) wrote to Energy Minister Engineer Kumara Jayakody outlining its position. The Union cited a Supreme Court ruling stating that employee privileges should not be reduced during the CEB restructuring process. It alleged that current steps to assign staff to successor companies violate workers’ rights.
The Union stated that after prolonged negotiations failed to secure assurances, 25 affiliated TUs initiated the strike. A discussion held on Tuesday with board members of the successor companies on the proposed collective agreement reportedly ended on a positive note. According to the letter, the chairpersons of the four successor companies have agreed to discuss unresolved matters with the Minister and provide final decisions.
With the strike now called off, electricity sector workers are expected to resume full duties and expedite restoration work in affected areas.