Electricity workers' strike ends

The trade union strike, which was carried out for two days by employees assigned to new companies after the abolition of the Ceylon Electricity Board, has been decided to be suspended. This strike action, which began around 3:00 PM on the 9th by a coalition of 24 electricity trade unions, has been halted this afternoon (11).

The trade unions reached this decision after a lengthy discussion held this afternoon with the Commissioner of Labour, the Deputy Minister of Labour, and the chairmen of the newly established electricity companies. The Commissioner of Labour has also stated that, according to these agreements, trade union representatives will have the opportunity to hold a special discussion with the President tomorrow (12).

Employees had resorted to this strike, demanding that the privileges they enjoyed while working under the Ceylon Electricity Board should be similarly protected under the new companies, and that a 40% salary increment should be granted. Due to this trade union action, power outages were reported from several parts of the island, and essential service maintenance work was severely disrupted.

Meanwhile, in the context of electricity being declared an essential service, Mr. K.S.I. Kumara, Chief Executive Officer of Electricity Distribution Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., and Mr. Saliya Panditharatne, Chief Executive Officer of Electricity Generation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., issued statements today, announcing that strict disciplinary action would be taken against employees who fail to report for duty.

Furthermore, Professor K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Power, also issued a statement yesterday, emphasizing that dereliction of duty is a serious offense punishable by criminal prosecution under essential services regulations. He had informed employees to report for duty immediately, as such actions would have to be taken.

Accordingly, all employees have now been informed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply, and the new companies have announced that arrangements are being made to provide new appointment letters to all employees in the future.