CEB unions reject total black out

Channa Kasturisinghe

ELECTRICITY REFORMS: The threat of a total black out made by a section of trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) does not have the support of the majority of the CEB unions.

The Organisation to Protect the CEB on Wednesday warned of a total black out if the Government did not withdraw the Electricity Reforms Bill to be presented to Parliament.

The organisation yesterday hoisted black flags in CEB offices in protest of the Government's move saying that it is an attempt towards privatising the CEB.

However, the Power and Energy Minister said that electricity reforms are inevitable for the future of the CEB and it would not mean the privatisation of the Board as alleged by some unions.

Ananda Nimalaratne, the convener of the Joint Trade Union Alliance which is a combination of 28 CEB Unions said that the Electricity Reforms Bill to be presented before Parliament also contained proposals forwarded by the Alliance. "We would protest only if the Government ignores our proposals.

However, this will come into effect only after first and second reading and subsequent Parliament approval," he said.

He also said as responsible trade union activists the alliance considered a total black out could bring the whole country to a stand still and such a move should be the last option after exhausting all the avenues for a compromised settlement of the issue.