September 08, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya, representing employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), has raised concerns over the lack of response from authorities regarding their ongoing industrial action. Workers have been engaged in a work-to-rule campaign in protest against a contentious government plan to restructure the state-run power utility.
The union initiated the action in response to proposals aimed at splitting the CEB into four independent entities, a move that employees fear could lead to privatisation, job insecurity, and reduced accountability within the sector.
The restructuring plan has sparked considerable unease among workers, who argue that it threatens both the stability of their employment and the reliability of national power services.
Union officials say that, despite several days of limited service operations under the work-to-rule strategy, the government has yet to enter into any meaningful dialogue with CEB staff or their representatives. According to the union, the current phase of industrial action is set to continue until 15 September.
Speaking on behalf of the union, General Secretary Prabath Priyantha noted that the workers are willing to intensify their campaign if authorities fail to engage constructively. He warned that a full-scale strike remains on the table, should the government continue to ignore the concerns of CEB employees.
