The draft bill to abolish Members of Parliament’s pensions has received approval from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.

Addressing the media, Committee Chairman MP Najith Indika stated that the bill was unanimously approved by that committee.

He further revealed that after this is passed in Parliament next week, Members of Parliament will not be entitled to a pension, and that afterwards, they will continue to carry out their duties as a service. 

“At the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice, and Civil Security, the draft bill to abolish Members of Parliament’s pensions was unanimously approved. In the Prosperous Country, Beautiful Life policy statement, one of the points we presented was that the pensions received by Members of Parliament after serving a few years in Parliament would be abolished. At present, the Parliamentary Pensions Act No. 1 of 1977 will be repealed through this new law. After this is passed in Parliament next week, Members of Parliament will not be entitled to a pension. Afterwards, they will continue to carry out their duties as a service. We believe this is a very important step both in terms of political culture and in terms of the promises we made during the election campaign. Through such processes, we believe we are giving assurance about which path we are taking and how we are moving forward,” he said. (Newswire)

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Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, MP Najith Indika, says the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board must take the lead in streamlining the procurement process and easing existing legal barriers related to importing equipment used to test drivers for drug use.

These matters were taken up during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Najith Indika recently (20).

The Committee reviewed the progress of the 2025 budget proposals and special project implementations of the Ministry of Public Security & Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils & Local Government.

Officials from the Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau highlighted the difficulties in conducting roadside drug tests due to the lack of necessary equipment.

The Committee Chair noted that the government has prioritized eliminating drug abuse and stressed the importance of regulating drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of drugs. 

He further stated that essential equipment required to identify drug users must be made readily available and that legal barriers affecting their procurement process and importation should be addressed promptly.

Police officials also informed the Committee that notable progress has been made in implementing budgeted programmes related to drug prevention. 

Officials from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board briefed the Committee on the progress achieved under their purview as well. (Newswire)

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National People’s Power (NPP) MP Najith Indika today slammed the opposition for their recent allegations regarding the establishment of power in local councils. 

Addressing the Parliament today, MP Najith Indika said that the NPP, which has won a majority of the councils, has the right to establish power in these local councils. 

“Our people have been elected to these councils. So, we have the right to establish power in these councils per the necessary legal provisions. If not, what else do we do? Bring people from home to establish power? The only option is to receive the support of other party members. How is this wrong?” he questioned. 

MP Najith Indika further said that, however, this does not mean that the NPP has made deals with other political parties. 

“We have only sought the support of single members and independent members. We have only done this in councils in which we won, securing a majority of seats,” he explained. 

The NPP MP added that allegations are being raised by opposition MPs who had previously brokered deals for their political and personal advantage. (Newswire)

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