CEB Engineers Launch Token Strike Over Restructuring ⚡

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Technical Engineers and Superintendents Association, supported by 24 trade unions, will stage a six-hour token strike today (Feb 26) from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. • Core Grievances: Unions allege authorities failed to meet eight key demands regarding the energy sector restructuring process. They specifically oppose the gazetting of the CEB's dissolution into six new subsidiary entities without fulfilling prior employee assurances. • Operational Impact: • No routine maintenance or repair work will be conducted during the strike window. • Union leaders warned that system safety requirements could necessitate shutting down sections of the national power grid. • Essential services including Parliament, the National Hospital, the Ministry of Defence, and the ongoing international cricket tournament are exempted from disruptions. • Economic Context: Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma recently labeled the CEB restructuring as the government's "flagship reform" during talks with ISB bondholders. • Future Outlook: Unions have signaled an escalation to further industrial action without notice if the Government proceeds with the restructuring gazette without addressing outstanding concerns.