News
CEB Engineers’ Union calls for collective agreement ahead of restructuring debate
The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) has issued a stern call to the government, demanding the immediate signing of a collective agreement to safeguard employee rights, ahead of a crucial parliamentary debate on the proposed amendments to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024.
The Union has emphasised that while it is not opposed to the restructuring of the CEB, it firmly objects to what it describes as “certain policy aspects and proposals with vested interests” embedded in the Act passed by Parliament last year.
“The objections we raised were never against the broader objective of reforming the CEB, or improving the electricity sector,” said the Joint Secretary of CEBEU. “Our concerns are focused on the lack of transparency and disregard for legal protections during the restructuring process.”
The government, which previously opposed the Act while in Opposition, and pledged to amend it in its election manifesto, has since introduced proposed revisions. However, CEBEU claims that several key concerns remain unresolved, despite multiple rounds of stakeholder discussions and legal petitions submitted to the Supreme Court.
The Union’s latest demand is for the government to enter into a Collective Agreement with CEB employees to provide legal clarity and protection during the transition. “There remains significant uncertainty among employees concerning their absorption into successor entities,” the CEBEU said. “We believe a Collective Agreement is a fair and necessary step to ensure transparency and build confidence.”
To press their case, CEB employees will stage a peaceful protest today (22) in front of the CEB Head Office. The Union has pledged that this demonstration will not disrupt electricity supply or essential services.
Describing the restructuring process as “non-transparent and exclusionary,” the CEBEU expressed concern over the government’s failure to engage key stakeholders and trade unions in the process. “We firmly believe that if this process had been carried out in a transparent and inclusive manner, such employee unrest would not have arisen,” the Union stated.
With Parliament scheduled to debate the amendments on 24 July, the CEBEU is urging authorities to take immediate action. “We remain committed to resolving this issue through constructive dialogue,” the Union said. “However, if the authorities fail to provide a fair and timely response, we will not hesitate to take appropriate trade union action to protect our members.”
The CEBEU has also pointed out that Collective Agreements have been a common practice in both local and international restructuring efforts. “Clarity, confidence, and stability are essential in any transition,” the Union emphasised.
The ball is now in the government’s court as the clock ticks down to the parliamentary debate. Stakeholders across the energy sector are closely watching how the administration navigates this pivotal moment for one of Sri Lanka’s most critical public utilities.
By Ifham Nizam
The Opposition yesterday called for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers to accept responsibility for the coal scam. Addressing the media at the Flower Road Office of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris emphasised that Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s resignation, in the wake of the damning report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO), has now implicated the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers.
Prof. Peiris asserted that Jayakody, who had been indicted in the Colombo High Court over alleged corruption, during the Yahapalana administration, stepped down after the NPP failed to suppress the truth on the coal scam.
The ex-Minister declared that Jayakody’s resignation, the first since the formation of new government, with a super majority in Parliament, was a devastating setback for the current dispensation.
The internationally recognised legal scholar said that a future government would move courts against the entire NPP Cabinet. Referring to the NAO report submitted to Parliament, Prof. Peiris emphasised that there was absolutely no ambiguity regards allegations directed at the Energy Ministry. The NAO report proved that the Indian company, Trident Champhar, that won the major contract, didn’t even have the required registration.
Prof. Peiris said that the coal scam was three times bigger than the Treasury bond scams, perpetrated during the Yahapalana time (SF)
The Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that the case, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe, be recalled on June 10.
The case was taken up before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
At the hearing, State Counsel informed the court that a related case, on similar charges, had been filed before High Court No. 08. The court was further informed that a revised indictment has been directed to be filed in that case, necessitating the submission of a revised indictment in the present case as well.
State Counsel requested time to report on the progress of those proceedings.
Accordingly, the judge ordered that the case be called on June 10 and directed that progress be reported on that date.
The case pertains to three indictments filed by the Attorney General alleging that between March 31, 2009, and December 12, 2013, the accused had committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing over Rs. 59 million in three private banks, the source of which could not be explained.
A three-judge bench of the Colombo Special High Court yesterday rejected a request by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundera to introduce additional facts to a statement he had previously made from the dock.
Jayasundera is an accused in the case filed over alleged criminal negligence in failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, despite prior intelligence warnings.
The order was delivered by the bench, presided over by Justice Priyantha Liyanage.
Meanwhile, retired Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Nandana Munasinghe and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the Eastern Province, Waruna Jayasundera, appeared before court as defence witnesses.
Opposition holds NPP Cabinet responsible for coal scam, three times bigger than bond fraud
Case against Yoshitha and Daisy Forrest postponed
Three-judge bench rejects request by ex-IGP Pujith
Johnston gets bail after four months
Thousands of pets affected by Avurudu firecrackers; over 10,000 cases of trauma reported
Inadequate LPG price hike compels the vulnerable to subsidize the wealthy: Advocata Institute
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News4 days agoRs 13 bn NDB fraud: Int’l forensic audit ordered
-
Opinion5 days agoShutting roof top solar panels – a crime
-
News6 days agoFrom Nuwara Eliya to Dubai: Isha Holdings markets Agri products abroad
-
News1 day agoNo cyber hack: Fintech expert exposes shocking legacy flaws that led to $2.5 million theft
-
News2 days agoLanka faces crisis of conscience over fate of animals: Call for compassion, law reform, and ethical responsibility
-
News1 day agoWhistleblowers ask Treasury Chief to resign over theft of USD 2.5 mn
-
News5 days agoChurch calls for Deputy Defence Minister’s removal, establishment of Independent Prosecutor’s Office
-
Life style6 days agoAfter dark in Sri Lanka: Tiny wild cats step into the spotlight