CEB breathes fire against power mafia!

Tuesday, 24 May 2011 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday breathed fire against so called “power sector mafia” warning that the latter would destroy anyone who went against their wishes.

This allegation came from CEB Chairman Vidya Amarapala at a press conference to make its stand clear on the controversial Agrico agreement and connected issues.

“The fraud and discrepancies in the power sector in the North and issues regarding Northern Power and Agrico has revealed the extent of corruption and fraud taking place in the power sector. The power sector mafia is powerful to the extent of destroying anyone who went against their plans. That is the sound we hear from the CEB right now,” Amarapala told journalists. See page 3 for CEB statement on Agrico Agreement.

Separately CEB Chief yesterday appealed to employees to work with the best interests of the establishment and country in mind. He issued a written appeal to the employees regarding the current issues.

He urged the employees to consider all facts pertaining to the current situation that has arisen at the Board and not “be misled by false rumours and allegations and understand the reality.”

“It is the duty of all CEB engineers and other staff members to work towards the betterment of the CEB and not for individual goals and personal gain. I most sincerely urge you all to dispel bribery and corruption from this organisation and work towards the upliftment of the organisation and its employees,” Amarapala said.

He also thanked CEB employees for their contributions towards the current progress of the organisation and requested their continued commitment and dedication to elevate the CEB to a financially stable, respectable state owned institution.

The Chairman’s appeal comes following the decision of all trade unions of the CEB to meet today to decide on future trade union action.

The trade unions demand the removal of General Manager Bhadra Jayaweera and appointment of qualified officials to the senior positions in the CEB.

The controversy surrounding the appointment of a top official who was suspended from the Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Ltd (LECO) and an alleged fraud amounting to Rs. 620 million, to the CEB is the cause for trade union action.