October 06, Colombo (LNW): Efforts to restore power across Sri Lanka have been significantly hampered due to ongoing industrial action by employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), as the country grapples with widespread outages triggered by severe weather.
According to CEB sources, nearly 30,000 power failures have been reported islandwide, largely attributed to high winds that have brought down trees and damaged power lines. However, despite the urgent need for repairs, response times have been severely affected due to a continuing work-to-rule campaign by electricity sector trade unions.
The Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya, a key union within the CEB, confirmed that the industrial action has delayed power restoration in many affected areas. Their campaign, now in its 32nd consecutive day, has seen employees limit themselves strictly to regular working hours, refraining from overtime and additional duties typically essential during emergency repair operations.
The protest began on September 04 and initially involved 25 trade unions, including those with affiliations to political parties such as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), United National Party (UNP), and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). It has since expanded in scope and impact.
Union representatives originally tabled 24 demands focused on the ongoing restructuring of the CEB. However, the list has since grown to include grievances over stalled promotions, unpaid salary arrears, and the non-permanency of a temporary Rs. 10,000 monthly allowance paid until the end of 2023.
Workers are also calling for this allowance to be incorporated into their basic salary and for a 25 per cent salary increase effective from 1 January 2024, along with corresponding back payments.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the CEB has suspended all forms of employee leave in a bid to maintain critical operations and minimise disruptions to the public. Meanwhile, an Extraordinary Gazette declaring electricity services as essential remains in force, theoretically obligating staff to report for work. Despite this, the industrial campaign continues to paralyse key functions, particularly emergency repair work.
