The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers‘ Union (CEBEU) urged the CEB management to reconsider its decision not to grant bonuses to its employees this year, despite the CEB Employees’ Union affiliated with the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) demanding bonuses by December, citing the CEB’s profitability.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (10), CEBEU Joint Secretary Isuru Kasthurirathne stated that the decision cannot be accepted at a position where the CEB is running with profits. He stated that CEB workers worked hard during the crises period to generate revenue; therefore, it is the responsibility of the management to give benefits to the people.

He stated that the decision has been made by the CEB management and it’s yet to consult the Energy Minister. “We try to convince the management to change their decision. Because the reason is that what they have presented cannot be accepted. There is a revenue issue with the other State sector institutions. They run at a loss. Yet, we did our best to make this a profitable institution. This is a business. Everyone worked hard to provide a good service to our customers,” he said.

However, the CEB’s Board of Directors has justified their decision by explaining how this year’s profit has been utilised. According to the Board, the CEB generated a large profit in 2024, but that Rs. 112 billion out of it was allocated to settle outstanding debt to institutions such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. The remaining Rs. 41 billion was used to reduce electricity tariffs for consumers in 2024, aligning with the Government’s promise to ease the cost of living. This left no surplus to accommodate bonuses for employees, according to the CEB.

The Employees Union had earlier requested the CEB management to provide bonuses before yesterday, citing improved financial performance and the change in Government administration as reasons. Meanwhile, CEB Workers’ Union General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal pointed out during a press briefing held in the past week that CEB employees had not received bonuses for the past two years under the previous Government. With the NPP now in power, he argued, it was reasonable to expect better benefits for the workforce.