• The Government was planning to deduct some amount from pensions claiming it was towards an insurance scheme
• Salaries of public and private sector employees should be increased at least by Rs.10,000 in the upcoming budget 

By Ajith Siriwardana

Claiming that it was the duty of the Government to look after senior citizens, Parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasooriya said yesterday that it was a ruthless move to deduct some amount from the pension for an insurance scheme.

 She told a news conference organised by the Progressive Women’s Collective that a pension was paid to senior citizens to lead a peaceful life in the latter part of their lives for the service they rendered for the country over the years.

 She said a huge amount of money was spent in foreign countries for the well being of senior citizens apart from the pension and other privileges and added that the Government was planning to deduct some amount from the pension claiming it was for an insurance scheme.

“The Government has plunged down to a situation where a sum of Rs.400 to Rs.600 was deducted from the pension.

 This is a hard time for those who live on a fixed income as the cost of living is drastically increasing. In such a situation, deducting the pension is a ruthless and senseless decision,” she said.

She expressed hope that this decision would be withdrawn and added that if it was not so, the senior citizens would also take to the street.

Dr. Amarasooriya said the salaries of public and private sector employees should be increased at least by Rs.10,000 in the upcoming budget.

• The Government has plunged down to a situation where a sum of Rs.400 to Rs.600 was deducted from the pension