The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided to intensify its trade union action against the appointment of an acting General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Accordingly, the union has decided to extend their work program to the second phase and member Engineers will not co-operate with the Chairman of the Board of Electrical Engineers and the top management in any official matter. In addition, all members will be brought to Colombo on sick leave next Tuesday to stage a protest against this move , A spokesman for the union told Lankasara. .
Former General Manager of the Electricity Board MR Ranatuga was due to retire at the age of 60 and a request has been made through the Court of Appeal to prepare the necessary background for him to serve up to the age of 62. Although the Court of Appeal has considered this request and given an interim order to appoint an Acting General Manager in accordance with the procedures of the CEB until a final decision is given, the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board, M. Dr. Susantha Perera, who previously served as Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Electricity, has been appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Ministry of Electricity. Although the appointment of a person over the age of 60 is illegal under the Electricity Board Act, the Engineers’ Union has expressed its displeasure over the arbitrary appointment of the new Chairman by the Chairman.
They further state that this new Acting General Manager is Dr. Susantha Perera who is one of the two persons who recently signed the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the New Fortress Energy Company of the United States regarding the Co-End Yugadanavi Power Plant. The other witness is CEB Chairman MMC Ferdinando.
