The Board of Directors of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided not to distribute employee bonuses this year, citing the need to allocate profits towards loan repayments and electricity tariff reductions.
The announcement comes despite the CEB achieving significant profitability in 2024. According to the board, these funds have been strategically redirected to ease the financial burdens of the organization and its consumers.
However, the Lanka Electricity Employees’ Union (LEEU) has expressed disappointment over this decision. The union has formally requested that bonuses be disbursed to employees by December 10, arguing that the CEB’s profitability should benefit its workforce.
Ranjan Jayalal, the General Secretary of LEEU, highlighted that employees had gone without bonuses for two years under previous administrations. He emphasized that with the current government—aligned with their trade union—now in power, employees deserve to receive their bonuses as a matter of fairness and recognition.
This decision has added to the growing friction between the board and its workforce. While the board prioritizes debt reduction and public welfare, employees view the bonus as an overdue acknowledgment of their contributions to the organization’s turnaround.
The outcome of this standoff remains uncertain, with union representatives warning of potential protests if their demands are not addressed promptly.
