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
