CEB GM grants more powers to Electrical Superintendents; engineers see red

BY IfhAM NIzAM

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager (GM) has given more powers to the Electrical Superintendents to serve the public more efficiently and avoid planned power interruptions.  The CEB GM has pointed out that in case of a fault at the level of 33kV and below, the relevant Electrical Superintendents are empowered to attend to it promptly to prevent loss of life and inform their immediate supervisors. Electrical Superintendents attached to the Consumer Service Centres are empowered to authorise and to approve and provide three phase Ampere Service connections to the domestic consumers until further notice. Electrical Engineers attached to the Consumer Service Centres have been authorized to approve leave applications of the subordinate staff directly under their purview.

When contacted, a senior Electrical Engineer of the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) expressed concern: “This is like a nurse attending to a medical officer’s work.” He said that they had requested the Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka to take disciplinary actions against the CEBGM for the unprofessional conduct.