Energy Minister lashes out at JVP

By Aisha Edris
Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne yesterday lashed out at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya (LVSS), accusing the union of creating unnecessary havoc in the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Seneviratne said that the union was creating havoc at the CEB because of the proposed Energy Bill, while other trade unions have pledged their support to the government.

“The JVP-led union is creating havoc at CEB because of the Bill. We organised an awareness programme to educate the employees and the trade unions and all of these trade unions have pledged their support to us,” Senevirantne said.

He further added that the government was examining the proposals submitted by the trade unions and that the cabinet sub committee looking into the matter would meet on the Tuesday to discuss the matter further.

Meanwhile, LVSS Convenor Ranjan Jayalal warned the government that if it failed to implement the proposals submitted by the CEB unions, they would make sure that all state institutes would be brought to the streets to protest against the government.

“The government should listen to our ideas as well rather than introducing the Bill in a rush. If it fails to listen to our demands and if the bill is introduced to Parliament without necessary amendments, CEB, along with several other state institutions, would take to the streets,” he warned.

Meanwhile, CEB Joint Trade Union Convenor Ananda Nimalaratne said the union had submitted their proposals to the Minister. “We have given our proposals to the Minister and we hope the government would incorporate our proposals in the Bill, which would benefit the CEB in the long-term,” he said.
He also warned that if the government turned a blind eye to their recommendations, it would have to face severe repercussions.