Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday, 26 February 2026 02:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Technical Engineers and Superintendents Association yesterday announced plans to stage a six-hour token strike today (26), alleging that authorities have failed to respond to eight demands submitted by trade unions.
Association Vice President Nandana Udayakumara said the strike is scheduled to commence at 12 noon and that prior notice has been formally conveyed to the Energy Minister and other relevant officials.
He warned that if the Government proceeds to gazette the dissolution of the CEB without implementing assurances given to employees during the restructuring process, the union would resort to further industrial action without advance notice.
In a recent investors’ call with ISB bondholders, Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government was committed to see through the CEB restructuring, calling it the country’s ‘flagship’ reform.
According to Udayakumara, 24 trade unions representing the electricity sector, including engineers, technical officers and industrial technicians, are expected to support the action.
He cautioned that during the period of the strike, routine maintenance and repair work would not be undertaken, and that system safety considerations could compel authorities to shut down sections of the main grid.
However, the unions stated that measures would be taken to avoid disruption to scheduled Parliament sittings, activities of the Defence Ministry, operations at the National Hospital and the ongoing international cricket tournament. It also noted that students sitting the GCE Ordinary Level examination would not be affected, as the relevant subject paper concludes prior to the start of the strike.
The union further indicated that the issuance of a gazette to establish six new subsidiary entities under the restructuring program could trigger an escalation of industrial action, potentially affecting the stability of the national power grid.
It urged the Government to address the outstanding issues within the six-hour strike window, failing which trade unions signalled that further steps could follow.
