The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to present the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill to Parliament for its consent.

Policy approval for repealing the Parliamentary Pensions Act No. 1 of 1971, which governs pensions for Members of Parliament, was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 16 June 2025.

In line with the government’s policy vision of “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life”, and the promise made to all Sri Lankans who supported that vision, a draft bill was prepared by the Legal Draftsman to abolish the pension entitlements granted to elected Members of Parliament and their spouses.

According to the government, the Attorney General’s clearance has been obtained for the draft bill.

As such, the Cabinet has now approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice to publish the bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently present it to Parliament for approval. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice to instruct the Legal Draftsmen to formulate 02 draft bills to limit the benefits afforded under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986 and the Parliamentary Pensions Law, No. 1 of 1977.

As such, the newly drafted bills will make it possible to cancel the special benefits granted to former Presidents and their families, as well as the pension of the Members of Parliament after the conclusion of their Parliamentary terms.

The decision was taken based on the outcome of the public consultations carried out on the “Pohosath Ratak – Lassana Jeewithayak” policy declaration presented by the government.

The government says, per the public consultations, the citizens have approved repealing the special benefits given to former Presidents and their families and to cancel the pension provided to the Members of Parliament after their term of 05 years. (Newswire)

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The Department of Pensions is set to distribute a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 to all pensioners starting today (Oct 16), the President’s Office announced.

According to the PMD, funds have been credited to the bank accounts of pensioners receiving pensions from public and private banks today.

Those receiving pensions from post offices and sub-offices will be able to access their allowance from October 18, the PMD added. 

Looking into the delays in disbursing the proposed monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 for pensioners, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently directed that the necessary funds be released from the Treasury.

In line with these directives, the Treasury has allocated the required amount to the Department of Pensions, which will begin crediting the allowances to pensioners’ accounts today.

Although Public Administration Circular No. 02/2024, issued on 24 August 2024, called for the monthly interim allowance, funding had not been allocated. 

Following a Cabinet meeting on October 14, the Treasury Operations Department had allocated Rs. 2,021 million for 679,960 pensioners this month, as a result of which the head office of the Department of Pensions began disbursing this allowance starting today. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed Finance Ministry officials to take steps to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 to pensioners.

The President, after inquiring as to why the October interim allowance had not been included in pensions, instructed officials to credit the amount within the next week.

This directive was issued during a meeting between President Dissanayake and senior Finance Ministry officials on Thursday, the President’s Media Division said.

Although government circular 02/2024, issued by the Department of Pensions, authorized the Rs. 3,000 interim allowance, the necessary financial allocations had not been made.

Since October pensions have already been credited to pensioners’ accounts, the President ordered the interim allowance to be credited separately within the week and instructed officials to ensure it is included with monthly pensions from next month onwards. (Newswire)

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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a Gazette notification suspending pension payments for those appointed as the Governor of the bank.

As per the Gazette issued dated 25 September 2024, pension payments to a person appointed as the Governor have been discontinued from 11.09.2024.

The Gazette further states that no claims for pension payments shall be entertained by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka after the said effective date.

“In the event criminal investigation or proceedings are being conducted before a Court of Law in respect of a former Governor, pension payment to such former Governor shall be stayed or suspended until the conclusion of such investigations or proceedings,” it added. 

The Gazette has been issued per the provisions of the Monetary Law Act, No. 58 of 1949. 

Gazette : http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2024/9/2403-27_E.pdf (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved to provide a special monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to pensioners, it was reported.

According to news reports, the special monthly allowance for pensioners is to be provided starting from September 2024.

The special monthly allowance is to be granted until their salary anomalies are fully addressed.

The decision in this regard has been taken on the recommendations of the committee that was appointed to study the salary disparities in the public service. The move is also expected to benefit around 700,000 people.

The decision on the special monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to pensioners was taken during the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday. (Newswire)

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Office has refuted allegations made by the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, concerning former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, the Ven. Walahahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thera had allegedly claimed that former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was receiving multiple pensions.

Refuting the allegations, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Office said in a statement that the claims by Ven. Walahahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thera are based on unverified information.

The former President’s Office further said it vehemently rejects these claims and asserts that there are no pensions or government payments allocated to former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. (NewsWire)

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