CEB unions give up strike

by Ananda Kannangara

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade union, Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya (LVSS) yesterday accepted the 33.33 per cent salary hike, proposed by the Government earlier and gave up their trade union action which is scheduled to be held on October 17.

Accordingly 14,000 CEB employees will receive the salary hike with effect from January this year.
Meanwhile the CEB yesterday announced that the increased salaries will be incorporated with their October salaries and the back wages due from January 2006 will be paid in twenty five installments.

Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said that an allowance of Rs. 5000 is being paid until the payment of back wages are completed. The Minister said an additional payment of Rs. 1200 is also being paid to the employees from January this year. When asked about the financial position, the Minister said that the CEB has a massive debit of Rs. 60 billion to be paid.

Meanwhile Minister Seneviratne denied the statement made by President, LVSS Ranjan Jayalal that priority would be given for people in the Ratnapura District when recruitment is made to the CEB.

“I vehemently reject this statement and would like to mention to the LVSS leader that recruitments are always being made on quota system which gives opportunities for people, including the JVP members living in every district.