With the threat of a strike by engineers of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) looming, signifying possible blackouts on the horizon, informed sources of the Energy Ministry vouched the country will not be faced with such a situation. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (11), informed Ministry sources waived off possibilities of any strikes within the CEB, noting there was a backlash of some employees against the trade union (TU) leaders. “Over 2,000 people have been given the option to retire and this kind of TU action would only delay their situation”. He noted those who had opted to retire had applied for higher studies and other job options. 

Sources said there would be six new subsidiaries paving the way for plenty of opportunities in the future, and that a greater section of CEB employees are aware of that and are waiting for those openings. 

So, if these TUs go for a strike, they will realise what support they have, sources said, noting the Ministry has held several meetings with the CEB engineers and employees and addressed all their issues. “We have spoken to all the stakeholders,” they said. “There were negative views from those supporters of the previous Government regarding the issue of privatisation. This is the only way forward. The Government is also ready to address all the issues of these employees of the CEB as there have been certain clarifications with regard to the setting up of the six subsidiary companies. We have given them whatever was possible from our side,” they pointed out. Sources noted that a meeting had been scheduled for 11 February of this year (2026) with a Ministerial committee and the CEB TUs. “The Government is open to dialogue but it will not be cowed down by the threats of TUs”. 

Sections of CEB TUs have warned they would resort to TU action if the gazette setting up six new subsidiary companies is issued prior to resolving their issues.