After doubling electricity tariffs, it is now not possible to pay employees.

Joining a special press conference held in Colombo, the chairmen of the new electricity companies pointed out that if all the conditions demanded by the trade unions in the power sector are met exactly as requested, the consumer electricity bill would inevitably have to be increased by approximately 100%.

Sixty-four demands had been submitted to the authorities by the relevant trade unions, and arrangements have already been made to grant sixty-two of them. Furthermore, it was stated at the press conference that an opportunity has been provided within the next few days to directly discuss the remaining two unresolved demands with the President.

Providing the massive 140% salary increment expected by the employee side alone would incur an additional monthly cost of Rs. 1.8 billion, with the annual figure rising to Rs. 22 billion. The Ceylon Electricity Board's projected loss for the upcoming year 2025 has already been calculated to be Rs. 34 billion.

Against such a backdrop, authorities emphasize that this massive financial burden would be absolutely unbearable for the general public, as well as for industries and small and medium-scale businesses. Their stance is that imposing the burden of increased electricity tariffs on the ordinary people, who are already suffering due to factors such as the war situation in the Middle East and rising global gas prices, is by no means justifiable.

Furthermore, it was pointed out that the demand to include the cost of living allowance in the basic salary contradicts the legal provisions of the country and constitutes a grave injustice to the fifteen hundred thousand other public servants. Moreover, although a 150% allowance is demanded for pensioners, the chairmen revealed that a massive deficit of Rs. 29.5 billion has already been created in the pension fund due to the poor management processes carried out by trade union leaders in the past.

Despite the vast majority of their demands already being met and having been granted the opportunity to engage in discussions with the President, authorities further stated at the end of the press conference that serious doubts arise regarding the true objective of the trade unions by continuously engaging in industrial action.