CEB unions call upon govt. to reveal secret deal with US energy firm or face trade union action

Who came in private jet which landed at BIA around midnight on 13 Oct.?

By Ifham Nizam

Those holding high positions in the government should reveal deal with the US firm New Fortress without further delay or the Ceylon Electricity Board unions would launch a work-to-rule campaign, Convener of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) unions Ranjan Jayalal said.

He told The Island that they had taken up the matter with the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter and all other power bodies. “We are awaiting a reply and soon would decide the next course of action. He demanded to know whose private jet landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport at 11.35 pm on Wednesday? “Who signed an agreement with those who came in that plane?

Jayalal said that he was aware that the government had signed an agreement without the knowledge of the Cabinet and that there was opposition to the government from within the Cabinet itself.

He said that their trade union action was being delayed due to concerns that the people would be severely affected by a power outage if the CEB went on strike.

However, it was not possible to say whether the strike would start today or tomorrow, he added. Power Minister Gamini Lokuge told journalists, there were no such agreements.