According to Kanchana Wijesekera, minister of power and energy, there are currently more than 4,000 open positions at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which is over the number of employees that have been authorised.
However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the current workforce is sufficient to run these institutions and provide necessary services, according to Minister Wijesekera.
“There are 3,292 approved staff positions at the Petroleum Corporation; 2,100 people are now working, leaving 1,192 openings. Only 21,000 of the Ceylon Electricity Board’s 24,000 approved staff jobs are filled, however. For specific service responsibilities, an additional 3,000 external hires have been made, leaving a need for 3,000 more workers to complete the approved staff cadre, the official stated.
Sadly, according to Minister Wijesekera, the current administration has not taken action to use these vacancies for political gain but has instead undertaken unpopular but necessary decisions to support the nation’s sustainable economic development.
The government’s policy, he said, “prioritises the integrity of these institutions over political interests, so it’s worth noting that although I could potentially offer employment to another thousand people from the Matara District within the Petroleum Corporation for political advantage.
At a symposium on “Restructuring of Government Institutions for a New Development Approach” held at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, September 26, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera made this declaration.
