Employees in the power sector who are currently participating in trade union action have been directed to resume their duties without delay, according to officials overseeing the newly established electricity companies.
The order follows the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board under the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act No. 36 of 2024. As part of this reform, the operations of the CEB were formally transferred to several successor companies on March 9, 2026.
Subsequently, the management of Electricity Distribution Lanka (EDL) and the National Transmission Network Service Provider (NTNSP) issued a notice instructing employees to return to work immediately.
According to the initial transition plan approved by authorities, all former CEB employees have been allocated to four newly created companies and are legally required to perform their duties to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply across the country.
The management also pointed out that electricity services were officially declared an essential service through Extraordinary Gazette No. 2477/47 issued on February 28, 2026. Under these regulations, refusing to report for work can be treated as a serious offence.
Chief Executive Officers S. I. Kumara and N. S. Wettasinghe noted that a number of employees have been absent from duty due to ongoing trade union activities.
They emphasized that although appointment letters for positions within the new companies are currently being distributed, this process does not exempt staff members from their existing responsibilities.
The statement concluded with a warning that employees who continue to ignore the directive to return to work will face strict disciplinary measures as well as legal action under the regulations governing essential services.
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