News
All CEB TUs join forces to fight fresh power tariff hikes
Street protests likely
By Ifham Nizam
All trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are to join hands this week to oppose the government move to impose fresh tariff hikes.
Unionists said the government was bent on going ahead with its plan to introduce another tariff hike of 30 percent in January, followed by a 40 percent increase in July in 2023.
CEB Joint Trade Union Alliance Convener, Ranjan Jayalal, told The Island that the Minister of Power and Energy had been expected to present a proposal, on Monday, to increase the tariff. However, he had not done so, probably because of the pressure from the unions, Jayalal said. However, the plan to increase tariffs was on track, he added.
“If the Cabinet approves the proposal, the entire CEB workforce with the backing of the masses will take to the streets opposing the government’s unjust tariff increase, at a time the people are finding it difficult to have a decent meal,” he said.
The trade unionist also mentioned that they were opposing the government decision to restructure the CEB.
The Committee appointed to look into structural reforms has recommended the division of the debt-ridden CEB into 14 companies with a 15th entity to take over any residual functions and activities.
The nine-member committee said that to attract investors into the power and energy sector, the government had to “move away from practices, such as accepting unsolicited proposals towards a procurement framework that is transparent, fair and competitive.”
According to Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera the proposed tariff hike aimed to reduce losses.
The approved tariff hikes were expected to raise some Rs. 500 billion in additional revenue including LECO sales, which represents only a 75-percent increase of profit, compared to the needed 82.4 percent.
A 75 percent tariff hike granted by the Public Utilities Commission, in August 2022, and implemented with effect from October 2022, was not enough to cover costs, and the CEB is still making losses, the CEB officials said.
The Island recently reported that the profit of the CEB, in October 2022, was Rs. 2.84 billion, with expenditure at Rs. 32.98 billion, and revenue at Rs. 35.82 billion.
Tariff increases are expected to cover the past losses due to years of selling power at subsidised rates, inefficient operations, corruption and economic crisis, Power and Energy Minister, Kanchana Wijesekara, said, adding that a new tariff scheme had been introduced for low income households.
Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programmes related to economic stabilisation, former Power and Energy Minister, Patali Champika Ranawake, who is an electrical engineer by profession, said that the CEB’s submission on reasons behind the tariff hike and costs incurred by them were not acceptable.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
