By Uditha Jayasinghe

COLOMBO (Reuters – Sri Lanka’s power sector union announced Wednesday that they will strike indefinitely starting at midnight to protest new government legislation. It could lead to power blackouts, in a country currently facing its most severe economic crisis for decades.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka’s largest power company, has 900 engineers, while the remaining 1,100 will be absent. Those already working at transmission, power, and distribution plants will depart at midnight.

Sri Lanka has suffered the worst economic recession since its independence in 1948. Its 22 million inhabitants have faced long queues to get fuel or cooking gas. They also face shortages of medicines and essentials.

The country experienced power shortages earlier this year, due to an insufficient supply of foreign currency. Imports of electricity fuel were also affected. But the situation is now improving thanks to monsoon rainfalls.

However, the strike is likely to bring back power cuts. There has not been any progress so far between the government and CEB Engineers’ Union.

Union members are protesting government plans to modify legislation in the country’s energy sector. This includes removing limitations on renewable power project competitive bidding.

“Talks have failed with the minister. These amendments deceitfully seek to end the competitive bidding program, which is intended to guarantee the public gets electricity at the best price,” Dhammika WImalaratne (union’s joint secretary) told Reuters.

“We cannot in any way agree to that.”

Ranil Wickremesinghe is the current Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He has promoted renewable energy to solve its power crisis. Adani, India’s largest international player, was interested in a 500MW project.

Kanchana Wichekera, country’s energy and power minister, stated that he expected Parliament to adopt the amended regulations Thursday. However, he accused the Union of blocking vital reforms.

In a Tuesday tweet, he stated that amendments will “pave a way for quick approval…and implementation of long-delayed renewable energy projects.”