Ranjan Jayalal, the General Secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Employees Union, has strongly criticized the Minister of Electricity for calling disciplinary inquiry and the suspension of services for Electricity Board employees participating in protests.
Expressing his concerns, Jayalal questions the grounds on which a disciplinary inquiry and suspension can be initiated against employees. Noting that approximately 22,000 out of 28,000 Electricity Board employees took leave to join the protest, he challenges the Minister’s understanding of labor laws.
Jayalal asserts that the Minister, lacking knowledge of labor laws, is prepared to go to the International Court of Justice over such actions. He highlights that despite the three-day protest by electricity board employees, there has been no power failure anywhere on the island.
In response to the Minister’s statements, Jayalal announced that all trade unions within the Electricity Board would convene today (06) to discuss future actions. The collective stance of the unions will be determined during this meeting.
