Energy Minister Engineer Kumara Jayakody stated that employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) who are unwilling to accept the newly introduced system may resign voluntarily and receive compensation.
The Minister made these remarks at a special media briefing held at the Government Information Department to clarify the current situation regarding the CEB.
He explained that the CEB has been restructured into four main institutions: generation, transmission, distribution, and system administration. According to the Minister, the government has the legal authority to divide the board into these four entities.
Minister Jayakody further noted that CEB employees have already been informed that they will be recruited into these new institutions. Those who are not in favor of the restructuring will be allowed to leave the service voluntarily.
He emphasized that employees who resign on their own will be eligible to apply for compensation of up to Rs. 5 million, which will be granted without any discrimination. The Minister added that if the CEB had continued under its previous structure, the government had planned to terminate the services of 12,000 employees after August 17.
According to the Minister, all trade unions were summoned for discussions on the 2nd of this month. However, following that meeting, several new demands were submitted on the 3rd. He claimed that some of these demands were impractical and appeared to be aimed at obstructing the restructuring program of the CEB.
Minister Jayakody further reiterated that many of the proposals submitted — including certain requests for compensation — were unrealistic and, if accepted, could lead to the financial collapse of the CEB.
