An additional 51 employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have faced interdiction for obstructing services during their three-day protests against the proposed restructuring of the state-owned electricity supplier.
The CEB trade union members staged protests from January 3 to 5, challenging the government's Bills related to the restructuring of the Board and the new Electricity Bill.
On January 15, the CEB took action by suspending 15 clerical staff members responsible for cash counters, accusing them of inconveniencing customers by closing counters and refusing bill payments. This brings the total number of interdicted employees to 66.
The CEB, which had already canceled leave for all employees from January 2, is conducting further inquiries to identify additional staff members who refrained from performing their duties during the trade union action.
In a circular issued ahead of the protests, the CEB management allowed employees to take urgent leave with the approval of an executive officer, notwithstanding the general cancellation of leave.
Notably, Extraordinary Gazette No.2363.02, published on December 18, 2023, on the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, declared all services connected to electricity supply as essential public services.
