A remarkable pay hike for CEB employees - Minister assures

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne yesterday remarked that Friday’s planned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) strike was a total failure and assured the 14,000 strong CEB workforce, a remarkable salary increase from January next year. Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Minister Seneviratne said only a few unruly incidents were reported from Badulla, Moneragala and Mahiyanganaya areas on this day and only a small section of CEB employees had participated in this politically motivated strike. “Although, they were earlier informed about next year’s salary increase, they were compelled to engage in such mischievous acts last Friday with the sole intention of embarrassing the Government and the CEB.

According to a senior CEB official, the CEB workers received their last salary increase in January 2006 and the next increase was due in January this year. However, the CEB could not meet this commitment due to “economic difficulties in the country,” he said.