• The present government had failed to grant the increments implemented by the previous regime

Issues faced by the pensioners have become a major crisis just like the one which the country is facing at the moment, UNP Chariman Vajira Abeywardene said yesterday.   

The present government had failed to grant the increments implemented by the previous regime, Mr. Abeywardene said during the discussion he had with some pensioners at Sirikotha.   

“Rights of the pensioners have been violated by the current rulers. Pensioners suffered a similar fate in 1975 when the then Minister Felix Dias Bandaranaike introduced a legislation to abolish pension schemes. The present government also is unable to pay pensions,” the former MP said.   “UNP which came into power in 2001 also implemented the recommendations made by various commissions with regard to pensions and salaries of public servants. It was the case in 2015 as well. However the present government has been unable to implement the salary increments introduced by the last government which were due this year. This has created a large anomaly when it comes to salaries of Chief Justice and labourers,” he added.