Sixty-two (62) employees who were suspended for involving in a protest held against privatization of the Ceylon Electricity Board last January have been reinstated with their privileges restored and disciplinary transfers cancelled, following a special directive issued by the Minister of Energy, Eng. Kumara Jayakody. These employees met the Minister at the Ceylon Electricity Board headquarters today (24).
As a part of the inspection tour at the Ceylon Electricity Board – Head Office, the Minister met with a group of employees, and while addressing the meeting, Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody stated that he considers the employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board an important asset to the institution and that he is happy to act on behalf of the employees who campaigned to protect the institution. He also mentioned that he understands it better that the employees fought to protect the Ceylon Electricity Board. Further, he expressed that defeating the previous government’s scheme to sell off the country’s property at will is a victory for the people of this nation, and that the new government appointed under the National People’s Power is dedicated to protecting the country’s national resources. He also emphasizes the fact that everyone should work collectively and together to protect and develop this institution.
Participating in the event, the General Secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Employees’ Union, Mr. Ranjan Jayalal, stated that, although the previous government managed to pass Acts to unbundle and sell the Ceylon Electricity Board, the people living in this country, together with those in the CEB, defeated such a scheme by overthrowing that government. He added that this victory is also a significant triumph for the trade union movement in the country. He further added that although the then-government and the then-minister acted to arbitrarily suppress a legal protest and suspend the services of sixty-two (62) CEB employees, today is a victorious moment for all electricity trade unions, including the Lanka Electricity Employees’ Union, for being able to intervene and achieve justice for them.
At this event, the employees who were acquitted of all charges and reinstated to the CEB service expressed their gratitude to the new government, the Minister, and the administrative authority of the CEB for reinstating them and restoring their suspended privileges.
After meeting with the employees, the Hon. Minister also held a discussion with the Acting General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Eng. W. Edussuriya and other senior officials there regarding the future activities of the CEB.