Ranjan Jayalal, convenor of the CEB Joint Trade Union Centre said that distributing the remaining profits of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) as employee bonuses could hinder the board’s ability to address the electricity crisis expected between January and July due to weather conditions.

He made these statements to Mawbima newspaper when questioned about not receiving bonus for this year. Earlier in a media briefing he demanded the CEB employees must receive bonus this year with the profits made by the entity. However, the CEB Director Board recently announced that there will be no bonuses for the employees this year as well.

Jayalal explained that the CEB has reported a profit of Rs 162 billion of which Rs 112 billion were used to settle outstanding debts to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. This leaves a balance of Rs 42 billion. Jayalal stated that if this remaining amount is allocated for bonuses and electricity bill reductions, the CEB will struggle to cope with the severe drought anticipated in the coming months, which is likely to impact the country’s reservoirs and electricity generation.

Highlighting the need for prudent financial management, Jayalal emphasized that the CEB has already decided to reserve the remaining funds to tackle the possible electricity crisis next year. He urged employees to consider the broader needs of the public and make sacrifices during this critical period.

He suggested that if employees show willingness to forgo bonuses temporarily, the government could potentially provide a bonus during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Jayalal also noted that Government MPs are making sacrifices under the current circumstances and called on citizens to prioritise the nation’s future by exercising restraint.