Unions call it ‘disastrous’

Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara announced on Thursday (18) that the proposed reforms to the electricity sector, titled the ‘Sri Lanka Electricity Bill,’ had been gazetted on Wednesday.

Wijesekara revealed in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the bill would be introduced in Parliament during the next session.

He noted that amendments suggested by stakeholders in January have been incorporated into the revised bill. The public will have a two-week period to challenge the bill’s legality in the Supreme Court after it is presented to Parliament.

Upon parliamentary approval, the new Electricity Act will facilitate the separation and restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) services and encourage private sector involvement in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. These reforms are part of the conditions set by the IMF for restructuring state-owned enterprises, including the CEB.

Ranjan Jayalal, Convener of the CEB United Trade Union Alliance, criticised the newly formulated electricity act, claiming it was drafted without input from industry experts. Jayalal argued that the amendments made to the act are superficial and fail to improve its provisions.

Describing the act as “disastrous,” Jayalal highlighted internal disagreements within the cabinet and noted that the proposal was introduced by the president rather than the Minister of Power and Energy. He vowed to prevent the implementation of the act, even if it passes in Parliament. “Unions from the banking, ports, railways, and other critical sectors will unite with us to defeat this act,” Jayalal declared.