The Ministry of Power and Energy has called for an explanation from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) regarding an engineer attached to the CEB being promoted to the post of Additional General Manager (AGM) – Distribution Division Two, just a day before her retirement, The Daily Morning learns.
In a letter dated Monday (14), the Office of the Deputy GM (Personnel) of the CEB has informed N.U. Perera that the CEB has decided on Monday to promote her to the Special Class of the Engineering Services (Executive Category), and to appoint her as the AGM in charge of “Subjects and Functions” assigned to Distribution Division Two, with effect from the same day. She has been asked to coordinate with another engineer who is covering the duties of the said position and to take up duties with immediate effect.
The same letter, which was seen by The Daily Morning, stated that upon her retirement, which was to take place yesterday (15), she is requested to hand over the duties of the said post to the engineer who will be covering the duties of the position with effect from today (16).
With the relevant letter being circulated on social media platforms, various parties have expressed critical views on the fact that by granting a promotion with only one day left for the relevant official to retire, she will be able to enjoy the retirement-related privileges associated with the position she held for just one day. Critics stated that such moves cannot be approved at all, especially in a situation where the CEB continues to incur losses and work is being carried out to restructure it.
In response to a question raised by The Daily Morning regarding the matter, Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera said: “I am aware of this matter as it is being circulated on social media platforms. This is not the first time the CEB has done this. This sort of thing has occurred in the past too. When I inquired about this, I was informed that this person has been serving for about 32 years. She was due to be promoted, but, there was a delay in getting the approval from the CEB for the due process. I have taken this to the management, and have asked for an explanation on the matter. The CEB has given approval not just for this person, as other individuals have also been promoted. This is a decision that has been taken by the management. Promoting a person for only a day could be to get additional retirement benefits or to maintain status. However, if this person has worked for 32 years, and is entitled to a promotion, there is no way for us to prevent it. There are ongoing lawsuits that have been filed by individuals with regard to this sort of matter. In the future, there will be performance-based promotions and salaries for CEB officials. Currently, it works as per the experience of the person who has worked. That is why we are trying to bring in these reforms as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, speaking to the media yesterday, Wijesekera assured that the remaining work pertaining to the laying of power cables connecting the Southern Province to the main transmission line of the CEB would be completed by 20 August. Issues pertaining to the laying of the said power cables through a private estate in Siripagama, Ratnapura were resolved on 11 August, when the estate owners consented to the move without seeking compensation from the CEB or the Public Utilities Commission.
The issue had originated after the land owners initially demanded a compensation sum of Rs. 48 million following a private estimate and then Rs. 9.6 million pursuant to Asian Development Bank criteria, while the CEB had subsequently agreed to pay Rs. 1.6 million in compensation for the loss of land to lay a 630-metre power cable which would allow the Southern Province to be connected to the CEB’s main transmission line.
He also noted that despite certain claims, the need for scheduled power cuts has not arisen yet unless a sudden breakdown of the power plants takes place, and accused certain parties of “misguiding” the public in this regard.