The Ceylon Electricity Board engineers union has resolved to stage a strike commencing from midnight today, demanding to withdraw proposed amendments to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No 20 2009.
In a letter written to the General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Engineers union states they will go on a work stoppage from tonight.
Extracts from the letter are as follows,
“Electricity Board Engineers’ Union is forced to stage, A Strike (stoppage of work) commencing from 24.00hrs on June 08, 2022, Demanding, 1. To withdraw proposed amendments to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009 (as amended by Act No. 31 of 2013), gazetted on April 29, 2022, with immediate effect, 2. To stop handing over of country’s wind & solar resources to Adani Group (paying in dollars) without following the competitive bidding process, 3. To stop driving the CEB to privatization in the guise of reforming, 4. To appoint a suitable professional with unblemished character to the Post of Chairman, CEB without further delay. During the General Strike on June 09, 2022, all our members including those in shift duties will not report for duties from 24.00hrs on June 08, 2022. Hence, relevant authorities are requested to make necessary arrangements to take over the duties and responsibilities from the engineers with suitable competent personnel, if not all power plants, transmission and distribution networks will be safely shut down and all CEBEU members will leave the workplace. Please treat this as a Notice of Trade Union Actions.”
Meanwhile, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara told Parliament that he was ready to discuss with the Engineers about the matter, as he did on earlier occasions.
However, the Minister told Parliament that the House will pass the amendment tomorrow to expedite the process. It will not shut out the bidding process. He told Parliament, replying Leader of the Opposition.
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa pointed out that the amendment allows the implementation of unsolicited proposals shutting out the bidding process.
The letter sent by the CEB engineers is appended
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