The special meeting was called to discuss United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government’s plans for restructuring two state services.

Ministers decided to postpone the meeting for two weeks and start negations with trade unions, Power and Energy minister Susil Premjayanth told BBC Sandeshaya.

Leaders of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) meanwhile held discussions with Finance minister Sarath Amunugama and secretary of the ministry on the issue, he said.

Workers of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petrolium Corporation (CPC) threatened a “blackout”, had the government continued with the “restructuring” plans.

Workers threatened a “blackout” had the plans go ahead

Public Enterprise Reform Commission (PERC) announced the restructuring of many state enterprises in February.

Trade unions have pointed out that "restructuring" is a term that governments use to sell state assets to multi national corporations.

Independent Television Network Ltd., Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. and Government Information Department have been advertised by PERC for "restructuring".

Minister Premjayanth said that CEB needs restructuring.

However, he assured that the restructuring programme will not end up in privatisation.

Trade Unions, meanwhile, are concerned whether the aim of the restructuring is to privatise the two services resulting in many job loses.