A simmering confrontation between the government and the powerful Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade unions intensified yesterday, with the latter signalling continued industrial action, even as authorities moved decisively to prevent any disruption to electricity supply.

The dispute centres on the government’s determination to restructure and unbundle the CEB under amendments to the Electricity Act, a reform drive officials describe as unavoidable to curb losses, strengthen governance and stabilise the national power sector. This has also been a long-standing demand of international donors, particularly the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Some 24 CEB unions, including powerful engineers’ and workers’ organisations, have rejected the move, warning that the proposed restructuring could weaken institutional coordination, undermine job security and eventually place additional pressure on consumers.

Union representatives said work-to-rule campaigns and other limited forms of industrial action would continue, despite electricity services being declared an essential service — a legal measure that effectively curtails full-scale strike action.

“These reforms are being imposed without proper consultation. Decisions taken in haste could have serious consequences for grid stability and public confidence,” a senior union official told The Island.

The government, however, has adopted a firm posture, cancelling all categories of leave for CEB staff and directing management to ensure uninterrupted operations across generation, transmission and distribution.

A senior official at the Power and Energy Ministry said the administration would not allow labour unrest to jeopardise electricity supply, stressing that energy security was central to economic recovery.

“Electricity is a critical public service. Any attempt to disrupt supply will be dealt with firmly,” the official said.

Engineers’ unions have separately cautioned that restructuring without a clearly articulated technical and regulatory framework could compromise long-term planning and system reliability, though they have stopped short of calling for an outright shutdown.

Despite ongoing discussions between union leaders, CEB management and government representatives, there is no indication of an early resolution, raising the prospect of a prolonged standoff at one of the country’s most strategically important state institutions.

The dispute unfolds amid Sri Lanka’s IMF-backed reform programme, under which state-owned enterprises — particularly in the energy sector — are under increasing pressure to reduce losses and ease the burden on public finances.

Analysts warn that sustained unrest at the CEB could complicate reform timelines and dent investor confidence, even as the government seeks to signal policy resolve.

A retired CEB top official said: “For now, while major strike action remains legally constrained, the confrontation has once again placed the power sector at the centre of national debate, with consumers and businesses watching closely for any fallout.”

By Ifham Nizam ✍️

Of over 37,000 held in country’s prisons, nearly 27,000 are suspects

Dumbara Prison built to accommodate 699 persons is now being expanded to hold 2,900 persons. At the moment, Dumbara Prison holds 2,246 men and women – a staggering 1,547 individuals more than its maximum capacity. Of the 2,246 persons held there, 107 are females.

This was revealed when Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara responded to a query posed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) lawmaker Chamindrani Kiriella, in Parliament yesterday (20).

The Kandy district SJB MP raised a spate of questions regarding the current status of prisons with the focus on how the NPP government intended to address the growing congestion within prisons.

The Minister explained that a major building project was now underway to expand Dumbara Prison, situated at Pallekelle, to accommodate 2,500 men and 400 women.

According to Attorney-at-Law Nanayakkara, the proposed Dumbara Prison complex would include 102 housing units for prison personnel.

The Parliament was told that the entire project would cost the taxpayer a staggering Rs 4.3 bn and that Engineering Consultants (Pvt.) Limited (ECL) was responsible for planning and supervision.

The project was progressing and by January 4, 2026, a substantial part of the complex had been built and 2146 inmates already accommodated.

The Minister said that the facility was to accommodate those who were previously held at Nuwara and Bogambara Prisons.

Of some 37,761 held at various prisons, about 27,000 were suspects, the Parliament was told.

MP Kiriella urged Minister Nanayakkara to consider an arrangement, similar to that of South Africa where those languishing in prisons, due to the inability to pay fines, received the required financial assistance from a special fund created for that purpose.

While appreciating the SJB’ers proposal, Minister Nanayakkara said that during 2025, 17,000 persons hadn’t been remanded as part of the government response to overcome overcrowding in prisons. They were being held under supervision, the Minister said.

Minister Nanayakkara said that the primary reason for the congestion was the significant number of those remanded on narcotics-related charges. Of the over 37,000 held in prisons about 30,000 were those who had been arrested on narcotics-related offences, the Minister said. According to the Minister, delay on the part of the Government Analyst’s Department in furnishing relevant reports had created a crisis and action was being taken to recruit 82 persons to that Department. The idea was to establish a system to secure GA reports within three months, the Minister said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️

A Criminal Court has remanded two Sri Lankan nationals, arrested for alleged violence in Velana International Airport (VIA), in custody for 15 days in the southern Malé Atoll on Monday, the Maldivian media reported.

The incident in question took place at around 12:15 am on January 10th.

Police then said two individuals involved in the incident were taken into custody that night for questioning and released after being cautioned.

Both individuals were arrested under a court order last Sunday. They have been identified as Sri Lankan nationals, aged 46 and 43.

On Monday, the Criminal Court remanded both individuals in custody for 15 days.

The lawyers representing both of them underscored that they are employed in respectable jobs. Both of them also claimed they fought in the airport, not with the intention of committing a crime.