• Says union has figures to prove coal stocks running out
• Denies coal shipments can be unloaded at Trincomalee
• Claims over 1,500 took part in protest
• Says Minister can’t take action against engineers’ union

Standing by its previous statement that coal stocks will run out on 31 December, leading to approximately 10-hour power cuts, and stating that the Ministry of Power and Energy cannot take legal action against trade unionists for voicing their concerns, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) proceeded with its previously planned protest outside the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai last afternoon (22).

Speaking to The Morning, CEBEU Joint Secretary Isuru Kasthurirathne said that Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has been threatening those calling out the Government’s shortcomings. 

“It is an utter lie to say that there is no issue with coal and that we have a continuous supply of coal. The truth is that we don’t have coal at all. We have facts and figures to prove that the coal stocks in Norochcholai are running out. We warned earlier that if the issue is not addressed, 10-hour power cuts are a possibility.”

When The Morning observed that Wijesekera had assured that a number of shipments of coal were arriving in January 2023, Kasthurirathne said: “We are happy to hear that shipments are scheduled to arrive. We are not against this, because we are with the people. Whether we align with the Government or not, we need coal shipments as soon as possible. However, the issue is the time restriction. 

“We need a minimum of five days per ship in order to carry out the unloading operations. Imagine that there is an issue with the barge or the belt – there will then be a delay and the unloading will extend beyond five days. Only six ships can be unloaded a month. Although Wijesekera said that should a delay occur, the coal shipments can be unloaded at Trincomalee and transported to Norochcholai, that would not be a possibility because it was tested before, and it failed.”

Speaking further, he said: “Despite his bad blood with the CEBEU, we are pleased to hear that he (Wijesekera) is willing to provide electricity somehow. But at what cost? What he is trying to do is to engage the diesel power plants and replace Norochcholai. The cost of power generation per unit is between Rs. 55 and Rs. 60. The cost for diesel is Rs. 120. Just to prove the engineers’ union wrong, he is attempting to run the private thermal power plants at a higher cost. He may do so, but not at the cost of the people. 

“It is entirely the Government’s fault that they could not bring down the coal on time. They should accept it, but they shouldn’t place the additional burden of high priced diesel on the public. Instead, what they are trying to do is increase electricity tariffs, which contain costs for additional thermal energy and whatnot. They could have brought down the coal earlier, as planned. We told them that it is the responsibility of the Government and the Lanka Coal Company to bring down the coal, not the CEB.”

Kasthurirathne also claimed that the Government did not heed the CEBEU’s warning back in October 2021, when the union warned of a looming power crisis in early 2022, which resulted in power cuts of over 13 hours. 

“We are speaking out against the issues we will have to face. We have been speaking out against such issues since October 2021. Last year (2021), we issued media statements and press releases and sent out statements to the subject Minister highlighting a power crisis from January to May. However, they reprimanded us claiming that there would be no crisis as such, and accused us of lying and getting the public tensed up to gain a political advantage. What happened then? We had to impose over 13 hours of power cuts earlier this year. People took to the streets because of the power crisis. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to resign as a result.”

Speaking of the disciplinary and legal action that Wijesekera had instructed the Ministry to take against those making “false” statements of a coal crisis and the resultant 10-hour power cuts, Kasthurirathne noted that the union had the freedom of expression, and has evidence to prove their claims. 

“He has no right to impose disciplinary action against the union. Firstly, this is a democratic country and we have the right to expression. Secondly, we have facts and figures to prove that the coal stocks in Norochcholai are drying out. If this is not rectified, there will be 10-hour power cuts. While the President of the CEBEU said this, this statement was also seconded by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. Other experts in the field are saying the same thing. Wijesekera can make threats, but he cannot take action.”

Although Wijesekera warned of strict action against those who engage in protest in front of the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant, the CEBEU, along with a section of CEB employees, launched its peaceful protest yesterday. According to Kasthurirathne, over 1,500 persons joined the peaceful protest. 

“The union members, CEB employees, and employees of the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant and their families, including those in the area, joined the peaceful protest. There was no disruption to the operations at the power plant. The protest was held from 12 noon to around 1.30 p.m.”

Convening a media briefing on Wednesday (21), Wijesekera assured that there will be no extension of daily power cuts beyond two hours and 20 minutes, and also noted that strict legal and disciplinary action will be taken against all those who made such false claims. He noted that the claim of all three units of the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant being shut down by January 2023, due to the non-procurement of coal, was a false statement.

“I have sought the advice of the Attorney General, and instructed the Ministry officials to take legal and disciplinary action against them. There has to be discipline even if it is a trade union. A trade union should not act like a terrorist group. They (the CEBEU) have also invited people for a protest outside the Lakvijaya Power Plant. I would like to remind them that the supply of power and fuel is now an essential service as per a gazette. If they take personal or sick leave and attend the protest, we have instructed the officials to take action against such individuals.”