Urban Development, Construction and Housing Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament that while the government has recognized the rights of electricity workers, it will not bow to unreasonable demands.
“There is some unrest among employees of the Electricity Board these days. In the past, the Board initiated a process to divide into 12 companies. We stopped that plan and instead presented a bill establishing five companies under full state ownership. Most of the 21 demands put forward by electricity workers have been addressed through this bill. However, there are also demands that can never be fulfilled,” the Minister said.
Reiterating his stance, Minister Karunathilaka added, “Although the government has accepted the rights of electricity workers, it is not prepared to accept unreasonable demands.”
