The 541 long serving employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)  who had rendered a dedicated service in providing electricity to the people were awarded gold coins and certificates by the minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka at 10.30 at the BMICH amid great pageantry yesterday (06).

All areas of the North and East were represented, in the award ceremony appreciating the service of over 25 years. Addressing the ceremony minister Ranawaka said that all employees of the CEB should render a dedicated service , while adjusting to change. He said that whatever the position of the employee every one of them are an asset to the CEB. Therefore appreciating their service is equally important.

The salary increments for nearly 15,000 employees which takes place every three years, will take place this year protecting their professional dignity, and also in a just manner playing fair by both the employee and the company.

The minister also expressed his sincere gratitude to the employees who worked tirelessly to restore electricity supply to around 500,000 consumers in the areas ravaged by the recent strong winds in the south. He said that they displayed amply their dedication, and skill.

The minister pointed out that a huge challenge lay before the CEB in supplying electricity to every household in the country. Way back in 1960 only around 4% of the population had access to electricity. However today 92% of the country’s population has access to electricity supply, which is a great achievement.

In comparison with our neighboring countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan they still experience power cuts. However when the rest of the world is facing difficulty we have been able to provide electricity without interruption throughout the day, said the minister.

Among those who participated in this ceremony were CEB chairman Prof. Wimaladharma Abeywickrema, Vice Chairman Anura Wijepala, Operations Director Pasan Gunasekera, General Manager Nihal Wickremasooriya and a large gathering of employees.