Workers of the Ceylon Electricity Board are to apply for sick leave tomorrow (Nov. 01) before holding a protest noon before the CEB headquarters in Colombo.

According to a media release by the ‘Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya’, the protest will coincide with the 54th anniversary of the CEB since its inception.

The Trade Union states that a large number of CEB workers islandwide, is to join the TU action, which is being held to express their protest over several matters including a proposed Bill to sell off portions of the CEB, increasing electricity bills and salary irregularities.

Protest march from Divulapitiya

Meanwhile, The Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) has organised a protest march from Divulapitiya to the Ministry of Power and Energy in Colombo tomorrow (Nov. 01) in protest of the recent increase in electricity tariffs.

Following approval being granted by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had raised the electricity tariffs by between 18 to 20%, with effect from 20 October.

Reforms Bill tabled before Cabinet

Meanwhile, Minister of Power – Kanchana Wijesekera had yesterday (30) published an X message that he had ‘tabled the proposed Electricity sector Reforms Bill for the observations & approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.’

“The proposed reforms will unbundle the services of CEB, improve efficiency, transparency, competition & allow private sector participation in the electricity industry,” he added.

“The Bill was prepared over the last 10 months with the assistance of energy & legal experts from development agencies & industry stakeholders. The Bill received the certification of the Attorney General last week after the proposed amendments by the AGs Dept was incorporated by the Legal Draftsman’s. Once the Cabinet of Ministers approves the Bill, it will be gazetted & tabled in the Parliament for approval,” he further said.