In Sri Lanka, despite a recent hike, we are not doing so in line with world prices. Currently, the world over, the sharp increase in oil prices are passed on to the consumers through higher pump prices. I believe electricity and water tariffs have not been revised for nearly four years despite incurred losses.
No organization can be operated profitably if, at a minimum, the cost of providing the service is not passed on to the consumers. I hasten to say that the losses are primarily a result of ill-conceived policies by successive governments. As a result, the CEB, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the National Water Supplies and Drainage Board (NWSDB) have operated at a considerable loss to the taxpayers. Over several decades the unions attached to public utilities in our country have used their considerable power mainly through the threat of industrial action to prevent much-needed reforms. The public and the commercial sector can ill afford to endure additional hardships. In addition, the manufacturing sector serving the local and the export market will come to a standstill causing further financial losses in addition to those suffered due to the pandemic related lockdowns. Many of us remember the sheer agony we went through for 72 hours in 1996. In my opinion, the unions’ proposed industrial action is not the way to compel the GOSL to suspend the transaction as those who will suffer untold hardship from such will be the public. The Supreme Court will consider several Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed against the NFE deal on December 16. It is a reflection of the sheer disregard and contempt for public opinion. This, of course, is nothing new as successive governments are guilty of not placing sufficient information before the public and other stakeholders when it comes to important transactions or legislative enactments. There is a lack of transparency regarding this transaction which no doubt contributes to the controversy. A prominent minister opposed to the sale of shares has slammed the Finance Minister for having included the cabinet paper under any other business and for not having circulated the same for study and comments at the cabinet meeting. One presumes that their opposition is more due to their socialist ideology. Several other trade unions, including those from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA), both critically necessary to the daily functioning of the country, have announced that they too would join in solidarity with the CEB unions.Īdding fuel to the fire, several constituent parties who are part of the government have announced that they too are opposed to selling the shares.
They have now been joined by the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) who have stepped up its work-to-rule campaign, making six demands, including the cancellation of the deal with NFE and the continuation of the LNG tender process that had been progressing when this backdoor deal was struck. A few weeks back, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) United Trade Union Alliance announced they would resort to trade union action unless the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) agrees to suspend or abrogate the agreement to divest 40 per cent of shares of Yugadanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya to New Fortress Energy (NFE) a US firm.
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