News

CEB workers suspend TU action following assurances from Minister Jayakody

Published

3 months ago

2025/10/15

Dhanushka / Jayakody

All trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have decided to suspend their trade union action that began on 04 September, following a high-level discussion with Power and Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody.

CEB Engineers’ Union Executive Committee Member Eng. Dhanushka Parakramasinghe told The Island yesterday that the decision had been reached after the Minister agreed to grant 24 key proposals put forward by the trade unions.

“Minister Jayakody has agreed to all 24 of our proposals and assured that a written commitment would be issued. We have, therefore, decided to suspend our trade union action as soon as we receive the written assurance,” Parakramasinghe said.

He added that the unions were expecting the Minister’s written assurance by yesterday evening. Once it is received, all CEB trade unions — representing engineers, technical officers, and other staff categories — are expected to call off their ongoing industrial action immediately.

The trade unions launched their protest early last month over a range of long-standing grievances, including salary anomalies, staffing issues, and operational reforms introduced under the power sector restructuring programme. The unions had repeatedly called for direct engagement with the Minister, expressing dissatisfaction with earlier negotiations held with senior officials of the Ministry.

Parakramasinghe noted that the discussion with Minister Jayakody was “constructive and positive,” adding that the Minister had shown a genuine commitment to resolving the issues amicably.

“We appreciate the Minister’s willingness to listen to our concerns directly. His assurance gives us confidence that the Ministry is ready to find a sustainable solution,” he said.

According to CEB union sources, the 24 proposals include clarifications on restructuring plans, protection of employee benefits, proper implementation of promotions and transfers, and technical decisions relating to ongoing projects.

The suspension of the trade union action is expected to restore normalcy to CEB operations, which had been affected over the past several weeks, particularly in project implementation and administrative activities.

Minister Jayakody, who has held a series of discussions with CEB officials and unions since assuming office, has consistently emphasised that reforms in the power sector will not be carried out at the expense of employee welfare.

A senior Ministry official told The Island that the Minister had taken “a balanced approach” — addressing the workers’ concerns while keeping the broader power sector reform objectives on track.

“The Minister believes dialogue is the way forward. His approach has helped ease tensions and rebuild trust between the Ministry and the unions,” the official said.

The temporary settlement marks a crucial turning point in the months-long standoff between the CEB trade unions and the authorities, although the unions have made it clear that they will resume industrial action if the written commitments are not honoured.

“We have suspended, not abandoned, our trade union action,” Parakramasinghe stressed. “If the written assurance is not fulfilled within the agreed timeframe, we will have no option but to recommence our action.”

The development is seen as a relief for the power sector, which has been grappling with multiple challenges — from financial constraints and debt servicing to the growing demand for renewable energy integration.

For now, both sides appear committed to maintaining dialogue and preventing further disruption to the nation’s power supply and energy reform agenda.

By Ifham Nizam

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News

Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ leaves island

Published

5 hours ago

2026/01/26

Priyan

The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.

In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.

Latest News

Gold tops $5,000 for first time ever, adding to historic rally

Published

14 hours ago

2026/01/26

Priyan

[pic BBC]

The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.

It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.

US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.

Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.

Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.

On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.

[BBC]

News

Auditor General issue acid test for newly constituted CC, says former COPE Chief

Published

15 hours ago

2026/01/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Charitha

SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).

The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.

They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.

The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)

The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.

The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.

Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”

BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.

Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.

by Shamindra Ferdinando