Sri Lanka to Pursue Long-Term Power Sector Restructuring

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held discussions with representatives of the Electrical Engineers’ Trade Unions, focusing extensively on the restructuring process of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the President's Media Division announced.

The President emphasised that the objective of the restructuring is to ensure an efficient, uninterrupted and fairly priced electricity supply for the public, while maintaining the ownership of the new companies under the government to safeguard the country’s energy security.

He assured union representatives that all existing rights and entitlements of CEB employees would be preserved within the new companies created under the restructuring process.

During the meeting, the President also discussed longstanding issues within the CEB that should have been resolved when the institution was operating under its original structure, but have remained unaddressed to date.

Highlighting the nature of the reforms, the President noted that this is not a smooth or easy process, but a long-term and carefully planned transformation. 

He stressed the importance of maintaining constructive dialogue and mutual understanding between employees and the new companies during this transitional period.

The President said a formal mechanism must be put in place to ensure such dialogue. He further highlighted the need to guarantee the mental well-being of employees, understand their future expectations and create an environment that enables them to carry out their duties with satisfaction.

He noted that challenges can be resolved if all parties act collectively and responsibly with an understanding of the broader national interest.

Inviting the trade union representatives to work together to ensure better services for electricity consumers and to overcome both current and future challenges facing the power sector, the President said the success of the restructuring process depends on joint effort.

Trade union representatives, while acknowledging the necessity of the new transformation, stated that they are prepared to work with the government in an informed and cooperative manner to achieve the expected goals.