Connect with us

News

CEBEU escalates trade union action to ‘Level 2’

Published

on

By Ifham Nizam

The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) would escalate its non-cooperation campaign to what it calls level 2 today.

A senior CEBEU member told The Island yesterday that their campaign was against the incumbent General Manager of the CEB and would continue till their demands were met.

He said that members including Additional General Managers should not cooperate with the incumbent GM, CEB.

The Union’s Joint Secretary has asked members to attend urgent meetings on security issues and restoring power supply to institutions such as hospitals.

“It is strictly advised to comply with COVID-19 guidelines and attend the COVID related matters to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. Members are also requested to inform all other members in their unit/branch of the above and also to be in communication with their channel/Area Rep,” he added.

The CEBEU members including Additional General Managers have been told by the union not to have written or verbal communications with the incumbent GM under any circumstances.

Members including Additional General Managers have also been told not to abide by any circulars or carry out any instructions issued by the incumbent GM on any matters violating all administrative and engineering practices, safety rules, operating manuals, code of ethics of engineers and provisions of Sri Lanka Engineering Council Act including Trade Union Ordinance.

The Union Joint Secretary’s special note states: “Members, including Additional General Managers, shall not participate in any kind of Committees/meetings convened or attended by the incumbent GM, CEB.

“All Members including Additional General Managers shall not participate in any kind of functions/ceremonies if such things are convened or attended by the incumbent GM, CEB.

“All Members, including Additional General Managers, shall not participate in any kind of interviews if chaired or attended by the incumbent GM, CEB.

“All Members, including Additional General Managers, shall not facilitate or communicate with any external or internal parties if such parties are appointed or directed by the incumbent GM, CEB even for official matters.”

In addition to the actions already declared under the non-cooperation campaign against the Chairman, CEB should continue their trade union action,a senior engineer added.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Southern Expressway land leased to Rajapaksa allies for Rs. 10,000 – Minister

Published

on

Bimal Rathnayake

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament yesterday that a service area on the Southern Expressway had been leased for 99 years to individuals linked to the Rajapaksa family for just Rs. 10,000.

Responding to questions raised by Opposition MPs Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Ajith P. Perera, Minister Rathnayake also claimed that the Rajapaksa associates had obstructed the construction of several other approved service areas along the expressway.

He said that the Southern Expressway project suffered from serious irregularities, including deviations from feasibility studies, which he said led to the wastage of billions of rupees.

Highlighting specific discrepancies, the Minister pointed to the construction of two interchanges that were not part of the original expressway blueprint.

“One is at Kapuduwa, just 5 km from Godagama in Matara, serving only traffic to and from Colombo. The other is at Bedigama, 6 km from Beliatta,” he said, adding that each interchange cost over Rs. 10 million to build.

By Saman Indrajith

Continue Reading

News

Hike in bus fares if Israel-Iran conflict results in higher fuel prices

Published

on

Gemunu

A hike in private bus fares could be on the cards next month if global fuel prices continue to climb as a result of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, according to Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President, Gemunu Wijeratne.

Wijeratne told The Island yesterday (20), that the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for the 1st of next month, could lead to a revision in fares, should fuel prices in the global market remain on an upward trajectory.

He said that while fuel prices are already high due to the prevailing geopolitical tensions, the Association is cautious about pushing for a fare increase immediately, warning that such a move could adversely affect the industry in the current economic climate.

However, Wijeratne emphasised that if international fuel prices stabilise and remain at their present levels, a fare hike may not be necessary.

“The situation is being closely monitored. We hope that the global market stabilises, but if fuel prices continue to rise, we will have no choice but to adjust fares accordingly,” he added.

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon ✍️

Continue Reading

News

Committee probing alleged abuse of power by IGP approves inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad

Published

on

The Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon convened for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, under the Chairmanship of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. The Committee also includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Police Commission, the Parliament Media Division said.

It said that as of Thursday, 28 prosecution witnesses have testified before the Committee, including seven on that day (Thursday).

The Committee has also approved the inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad on official duty, to testify after their return to the country on 26 June. This request was submitted by Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department.

Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawikrama, appearing on behalf of IGP Tennakoon, gave his consent for the two witnesses to be summoned for examination and cross-examination upon their return. The Committee granted the request.

Although initially scheduled to reconvene yesterday (20), proceedings have been postponed to Monday, 23 June, following a request by Weerawikrama to allow additional time to prepare the IGP’s defence. With the Attorney General’s Department not objecting, the Committee approved the postponement.

The next sessions will be held from 23 to 25 June, commencing at 9:30 a.m. daily. During this period, 15 witnesses are expected to testify on behalf of the Respondent IGP.The Committee will reconvene again at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 26June, following the conclusion of the defense’s witness testimonies.

Continue Reading

Trending