CEB Spokesman Noel Priyantha resigns over controversial remarks
Engineer Noel Priyantha has tendered his resignation as the spokesperson of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), this move confirmed by Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera via his X handle (formerly Twitter).
Minister Wijesekera said that the management of the CEB informed him about this.
The CEB spokesperson, who attended the ‘Big Focus’ program on Ada Derana on Tuesday, made controversial remarks that received backlash for lacking empathy.
When asked about the recent electricity tariff hikes and the burden it has placed on consumers, Priyantha said the tariffs should have been increased gradually over the years.
However, he also went on to comment that the children do not need electricity to study, and that the light from kerosene oil lamps should suffice. “Why do you need electricity [to study]? For about two years, I also studied using [kerosene] oil lamps. Why do you need to iron clothes? Wear linen [clothing].”
He also made insensitive comments about the lifestyle of the people working in tea plantations. “Come to the plantations with me. I’ll show you how happily these people live. Everyone is drunk at 2 o’clock.”
After finding himself in hot water, Priyantha issued a public apology on Wednesday, expressing ‘deep regret’ if his comments were hurtful to any section of the population.
The CEB spokesperson’s comments were slammed by Water Supply Minister Jeevan Thondaman, who said it “lacks empathy and is unacceptable.”
Minister Wijesekera, in his X post, said, “I agree with the sentiments of @JeevanThondaman and many more that had raised the lack of empathy and professionalism in the statement made by the CEB spokesperson.”
He emphasized that Priyantha’s statement does not reflect the views of the government nor the CEB, while asserting that the management of the state-owned electricity supplier will take appropriate measures in this regard.
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This person is an Engineer; he was trained for technical competencies but was given a communications role.
In addition, he demonstrates a low IQ and zero social competencies.
The Engineers Institution, which attests to his technical competencies, should look into and strip him of his technical attestations. as he was practicing as a spokesperson outside his attestation.
This person is a shame to the nation.
His Engineering Registration should be rescinded immediately.
He should be given a job in the Tea Plantations as a laborer and be made to live there with a kuppi lampuwa.
Hi Roxie,
This Engineer has clearly breached the Code of Ethics of the Engineering profession and should be discharged by the Engineer’s Institute promptly.
Once stripped of the title ‘Engineer’, the CEB, where he and his family enjoy free electricity as a part of his employment, should be sacked from the CEB.
Roxie, he is not fit to be an Estate labourer; in fact he will be an insult to the tea plantation workers as he will ‘get drunk at 2.00 PM’ daily. As a CEB Engineer, perhaps he has this habit.