All leave for employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been cancelled with immediate effect until further notice.
This was formally communicated in writing by the General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board.
On Sunday (21 Sept.), a special gazette notification was issued, declaring all services related to electricity supply as essential services under presidential directive.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed this declaration under the powers vested in him by Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979.
The gazette was issued in consideration of the fact that these services are vital for maintaining normal public life and that any disruption or obstruction to them could have serious consequences.
The cancellation of leave and declaration of services related to electricity supply as essential services comes in the backdrop of the ongoing trade union action by electricity workers.
CEB employees have been engaged in a trade union action over the past few days to protest the government’s decision to restructure the CEB, dividing it into four key entities. (Newswire)