CEB unions to launch protest campaign against privatization plans

Ceylon Electricity Board Trade Unions have called for a protest campaign tomorrow opposite the headquarters of the Board on Tuesday (December 6) against what they call the sale of state ventures including the CEB.

The Convener of the CEB Joint Trade Union Alliance, Ranjan Jayalal is due to announce details of the protest campaign at a press conference opposite the CEB headquarters today.

Mr Jayalal said that the other sectors affected too will be having protests about privatization of other state institutions.

He said that all CEB employees have been told to stop work on Tuesday and join the protest campaign.

The protest campaign has been called after the  Cabinet approved to go ahead with the report of a Cabinet -Appointed Committee on Power Sector Reforms.

The Committee has recommended the division of the debt-ridden Ceylon Electricity Board into 14 companies, with a fifteenth entity to take over any residual functions and activities.

The nine-member group has also said that, to attract serious investors into the power and energy sector, the Government must “move away from practices such as accepting unsolicited proposals towards a procurement framework that is transparent, fair and competitive”. (See Sundaytimes.lk for more details)

Trade Union Leader Ranjan Jayalal addressing a press conference today (Dec 5)