CEB new union takes a different line

By Ifham Nizam

Public shouldn’t take the work to rule campaign by the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) seriously, said the Spokesman of the newly launched Senior Engineers Association Nandika Pathirage.

Pathirage alleged that the CEBEU was trying to delay the power generation plans. Once the plans were delayed these engineers could push for emergency power purchases to enrich themselves.

“The delaying of power generation plans will lead to shortage of electricity in February or so. That is what these engineers want. When there is a shortage of power they can go for emergency power purchases. These are high in price and is a great burden to the Board,” he alleged, claiming that the oil mafia was backing the engineers.

Pathirage, who was once the President of the powerful Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) told The Island that though their membership was small, they had the ability to take decisive actions.

He said that the 60 odd senior officials would do their utmost to prevent any blackouts.

“We believe that the CEB should be modernised to face the upcoming energy crisis. I think we have the capacity to face such a crisis,” he said

Sri Lanka’s current energy policy is focused on adding more renewable energy to the national grid.

Pathirage said: “CEB should carry out short-term, mid-term and long term reforms to increase efficiency of the operational framework of the Board and to improve its financial position. The use of modern technology is inevitable to move forward to face the Energy Crisis and adopt a national policy framework”.