23,000 employees endangered by government: Opposition Leader Vickram

19-Sep-2025

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Claiming that it is restructuring the electricity sector, the government has pushed 23,000 employees working in the sector into uncertainty. 

While restructuring is indeed necessary in power generation, transmission, and distribution, the employment and social security of these workers must be safeguarded, stressed Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

He made this statement during a meeting with United People’s Power (SJB) local government members in Trincomalee. Further commenting, he said:

“This government came to power largely with the votes of state employees. Yet, now the government’s actions have left state employees dissatisfied. The government is disregarding the support of nearly 1.5 million state employees, considered one of the country’s most valuable resources.

Claiming restructuring, the government has endangered 23,000 workers in the electricity sector. Even if reform is necessary, their professional and social security must be guaranteed.

This government, which once sought the help of the CEB employees to gain power, has now forgotten them. Saying that those who wish to retire may come forward voluntarily is unfair. The former CEB trade union leader, who is now the Chairman of the Kaduwela Municipal Council, has remained silent on this matter.

After misleading the employees to take to the streets, he too has now forgotten them and is acting selfishly. When IMF representatives visited Parliament, only the SJB raised the rights of the 23,000 CEB employees.

While other parties remained silent, our party insisted that restructuring can proceed only after securing job security for workers. The JVP, which once made fiery speeches at election rallies, today lacks the courage to speak for workers’ rights.

We urge all citizens to teach this government, which has deceived both the people and state employees, a proper lesson in the upcoming provincial council elections.”