08/04/2026
The Chairman and Board of Directors, National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd
Dear Sir/Madam,
Requesting to Ensure a Transparent and Lawful Process for the Appointment of Higher Management Positions in National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd
The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers' Union (CEBEU) writes to you with grave concern regarding information received by the Union that appointments are to be made to the positions of COO Energy Ventures, CIA, Director Human Resources Management, Director General Administration, and Director Legal & Compliance in the higher management of National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd through what appears to be an ad hoc, opaque, and procedurally flawed process, including the possible selection of predetermined individuals.
Moreover, any irregular or non-transparent appointments of this nature are likely to create serious industrial unrest among employees, significantly demotivate staff within the organization, and disrupt established hierarchical and administrative structures. Such consequences would adversely affect operational stability, institutional discipline, and overall organizational efficiency, thereby compounding the legal and governance concerns outlined above.
At the outset, we categorically state that appointments to senior management positions in a State-Owned Enterprise must be made strictly in compliance with governing statutes, established administrative procedures, and the well-recognized principles of transparency, merit, equality of opportunity, and accountability. Any deviation from these mandatory standards constitutes not merely an administrative irregularity but a serious breach of public law obligations, exposing the Company and its Board to substantial legal challenge and institutional liability.
It is a matter of record that, to date, no duly approved Human Resource Policy governs National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd. In the absence of such a framework, the existing policies, procedures, and administrative practices of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) continue to apply in terms of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024 (as amended) and must be strictly adhered to, particularly in relation to appointments to higher management positions. Any attempt to bypass or disregard these prevailing frameworks would be unlawful, ultra vires, and susceptible to judicial review.
We further draw your attention to binding judicial determinations previously issued against the CEB (Supreme Court (FR) Case No. 568/2012 Court of Appeal Case No. CA (Writ) 431/2023; and Case No. CA (Writ) 387/2024), where attempts to effect irregular or non-compliant appointments were expressly restrained by courts of competent jurisdiction. These decisions unequivocally affirm that public sector recruitment and appointments must adhere to due process, transparency, and fairness. Any repetition of similar irregularities is likely to attract comparable judicial intervention.
Additionally, the Guidelines on Corporate Governance and Management of State-Owned Enterprises issued by the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka expressly mandate that appointments to senior positions be conducted through structured, transparent, and merit-based procedures, including proper public advertisement, objective evaluation criteria, and documented selection mechanisms. These guidelines are binding on State-Owned Enterprises and must be complied with both in letter and in spirit. Non-compliance would constitute a serious governance failure.
In light of the foregoing, CEBEU formally calls upon the Board to immediately ensure that:
+ A transparent, competitive, and independently administered selection process is established for the appointment of higher management personnel;
+ No ad hoc, discretionary, or pre-determined appointments are made outside duly approved procedures; and
+ All actions are strictly aligned with applicable statutory provisions, prevailing CEB policies (in the absence of an approved HR framework), and binding SOE governance guidelines.
CEBEU places the Board on notice that any attempt to proceed with irregular, non-transparent, or legally non-compliant appointments will be treated as a serious violation of statutory and administrative obligations. In such circumstances, the Union will not hesitate to pursue all remedies available in law, including but not limited to initiating appropriate judicial proceedings and trade union action, to safeguard the rights of employees and to uphold the rule of law.
We trust that the Board will discharge its fiduciary and statutory responsibilities with due diligence and take immediate corrective steps to ensure full compliance with lawful procedure and good governance standards.
Yours faithfully,
CEYLON ELECTRICITY BOARD ENGINEERS' UNION
