{"id":17225,"date":"2025-09-15T11:26:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T05:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energymin.gov.lk\/power\/?p=17225"},"modified":"2026-02-18T16:06:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T10:36:59","slug":"news1509","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/energymin.gov.lk\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/news1509\/","title":{"rendered":"“If the Electricity Act had not been amended, 12,000 CEB employees could have lost their jobs – We are going to develop the electricity sector, while protecting employees, securing their jobs and safeguarding their rights.”"},"content":{"rendered":"

“We have been able not only to defeat, but also to reverse the scheme put into action by the previous government to privatize the power sector, especially without considering employees\u2019 rights and privileges. We have also ensured the state ownership of the energy sector. We have completed the establishment of 100% state-owned entities with necessary structural changes for the development of the power sector in line with the country’s development goals. Therefore, all is set to proceed with the program as planned,” <\/em>said Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody, speaking at a press conference held at the Department of Government Information today (15).<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the discussion we had with the trade unions, the proposals submitted by them in particular, including the Lanka Electricity Workers’ Union, have been carefully examined, and the requests that are actionable have already been considered and put into action as the Ministry of Energy along with the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat and the Ceylon Electricity Board. Employees have already been notified of their assignment to the 04 companies to be established with full-state ownership. Therefore, there will be no issue regarding the job security of these employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a Voluntary Retirement Scheme for those employees who do not opt to join these companies and they will receive compensation. It is a legal requirement. Otherwise, we do not want to send employees home. For this purpose, we have developed a compensation scheme that offers more than the current compensation formula used in the country. We treasure employees. Even though a fair scheme has been introduced to all, it is observed that baseless and unreasonable demands are being made causing unnecessary issues and misleading the employees. We will never hesitate to fulfill employees\u2019 demands which are justifiable and actionable. We have done all that we could during the past period.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, had we not amended this act and allowed things to continue as they were under the previous government, 12,000 CEB employees could have lost their jobs. The CEB could have been unbundled into 12 separate entities. Especially, I would like to ask from some of the trade unions whether their action are truly in the interest of representing employees or if they are attempting to send employees home and turning it into a pretext for a political issue\u201d, the Minister raised a question.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a people\u2019s government, we take responsibility for every employee. We prioritize the well-being and future of all employees. At the same time, we are doing everything it needs to ensure the security of the country’s energy sector. We are committed to working towards the progress of the sector driven by a broader vision, not by narrow agendas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Responding to question raised by a journalist, the Minister further mentioned that, as a people’s government, no action will be taken to deprive or remove the privileges of any employee even during the ongoing reform process. However, it is the government\u2019s responsibility to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity to the country and it is hoped that all relevant parties will understand this responsibility and act accordingly.<\/p>\n

Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Eng. W. Edussuriya, and Director General of the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat, Mr. Pubudu Niroshan Hadigallage, also participated in this press conference and expressed their views.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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