Sri Lanka, Sept. 24 -- Electricity trade unions are set to decide today (24) whether to launch a full-scale strike as the third phase of their industrial action.

The unions have been protesting against the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) since September 4 with a work-to-rule campaign, which was followed by a withdrawal from all procurement activities.

The unions continued their protest for a 19th consecutive day yesterday (23), despite President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issuing a gazette notification declaring electricity services as essential and cancelling all employee leave.

The gazette is expected to be presented to Parliament for approval today.

In a related development, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa...