Electricity Trade Union to defy Essential Service declaration

COLOMBO (News 1st); Electricity Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have warned that they would not comply with the order in declaring their service as essential services. "The government should consider it a failure if they assume to suspend out actions by imposing declarations on essential services," said Ranjan Jayalal, the Convener of the CEB United Trade Union Alliance. The Government is going to ensure that the entire energy sector of the country is owned by the USA, alleged Ranjan Jayalal noting that the trade unions oppose the attempts being made to transfer shares of the Yugadanavi Power Plant to New Fortress Energy Inc. Speaking at to media today (30), Jayalal stated that as the Government had declared fuel and port services as essential services, without mentioning the Ceylon Electricity Board. "This means that the Government has removed the CEB from its control," he said. He also said there is serious concern with regard to who empowered the US to intervene in Sri Lanka's energy sector, citing a discussion the US Ambassador had with a local journalist yesterday (29).