Thousands of CEB, CPC workers to fall sick today against deal with US energy firm

By Ifham Nizam

More than 25,000 employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board would obtain medical leave today as part of their protest against the sale of the shares of Yugadanavi power plant to a US energy firm, New Fortress, a senior trade union activist said.

Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya Convener Ranjan Jayalal told The Island that they had asked employees of the breakdown division not to take part in the protest. But all workers would strike unless the government cancelled the questionable energy deal, he added.

“We are not bothered about the circular issued by the CEB cancelling our leave. We will gather in Colombo for the protest.

Due to many workers joining the protest in Colombo, there might be delays in restoring any kind of breakdown. “We will definitely be picketing today.

All CEB workers have been asked to gather opposite the CEB Headquarters, Colombo.

The employees of the Petroleum Corporation are scheduled to stage a protest in Fort.

“A special gazette notification was issued last Friday declaring fuel supply and ports as essential services. However, the CEB was not categorised as essential service in the notification. They might have forgotten to do so,” Jayavilal added.

General Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Progressive Employees’ Union Umedha Seneviratne yesterday said there would be no power outages.