2023-11-30
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Ways and Means recommended to the Department of Pensions to introduce a formula for raising the pensions in proportion to the existing cost of living index in a humanitarian manner. This was stated when the Committee met in Parliament on 29.11.2023 under the Chairmanship of Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Member of Parliament.
Officials of government institutions such as the Department of Pensions, National Secretariat for Elders, and representatives of pensioners' associations were called for this meeting.
The department disclosed that more than 700,000 active pensioners are currently registered in the Department of Pensions, and it was disclosed that some people are not active due to reasons such as investigations, deaths, etc.
It was disclosed that about 26,000 retirees (19,000 civil, 7,000 armed forces) join active status every year, and about 20,000 are removed from the retired list due to death. It was reported that Rs. 413 billion has been earmarked for the Department of Pensions for a month, and 24 times the required pension will be paid as gratuity for those retiring at the age of 55, which will be deducted from the pension within 10 years.
The role of the National Secretariat for Elders is to provide a monthly allowance of 2000 rupees to low-income earners over 70 years of age, whose monthly income is less than 6000 rupees, and on the certificate of the Grama Niladhari, 733,204 elderly allowances are currently being paid, the officials of that institution said. The Committee Chair instructed the officials of the National Secretariat for Elders to provide the Committee with statistics on the number of people who join the list of elderly allowance payers, the number of people who leave due to death, and the number of elderly people on the waiting list.
It was discussed that the increase in wages for public servants with effect from 01.01.2016 was implemented under 5 phases till 01.01.2020, and that those who retired after 01.01.2020 will receive the full pension adjusted according to the increase in salary, which has resulted in a huge pension disparity between those who retired before 2017 and those who retired after 2020. The decision taken by the Council of Ministers to suspend the pension increase due on 01.01.2020 was a cause and additionally due to the salary increase for teacher principals in 2021, a severe pension discrepancy has arisen for those who retired before 01/01/2017 was mentioned. Moreover, although government employees were given a salary increase of Rs. 10,000 with effect from 01/01/2024, the allowance of pensioners has been increased only by Rs.2500/- and considering the salary increase, the pension has only increased by 25% and given the increase is not sufficient in view of the increase in the cost of living, the pensioners stated before the Committee. The Chair recommended to introduce a formula for the purpose of increasing the pension in proportion to the existing cost of living index in a humanitarian manner.
The benefits of the Agrahara insurance scheme are available to those who retired after 01.01.2016, and those who retired before that date should also be extended the insurance scheme in such a way that they get the same benefits. Thereby, the necessity of providing hospitalization allowances, surgery allowances, death gratuity allowances etc. to those who retired before the relevant date was emphasized on the part of the pensioners. The Committee Chair instructed to look into the possibility of providing the benefits of Agrahara Insurance Scheme to those who retired before 01.01.2016.
Committee Chair Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka instructed the officials to appoint an authorized representative of the Department of Pensions to discuss the issues faced by the pensioners and to make arrangements to hold the initial discussion between the representatives of the pensioners' associations and the authorized officer on December 15 at 9.00 am.
It was emphasized here that those who receive senior citizens allowance and persons with disabilities should be included in the list of those who should receive social benefits (social registry). The need for setting up a digital system that can quickly update the deaths of pensioners was also emphasized as there is a significant impact on the payment of pensions.
State Ministers Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, and Members of Parliament Hon. W. D. J. Seneviratne and Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda were present at this Committee meeting held.
2025-11-13
The draft report prepared in accordance with Standing Order 121(5)(i) of Parliament regarding the Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2026 was considered at the meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF). This discussion took place recently (Nov. 11) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva. The report had been prepared by the technical team of the Committee on Public Finance and presented to the Committee for consideration. According to the report, the Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2026 has been prepared in line with the requirements stipulated under the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, the Public Debt Management (PDM) Act, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program. It further notes that revenue in 2025 exceeded expectations by Rs. 100 billion due to higher-than-expected income from vehicle import taxes, thereby providing greater ease in preparing financial plans for 2026. However, it is also expected that revenue growth in 2026 will slow down due to a decline in vehicle imports. The report is scheduled to be presented to Parliament. Subsequently, discussions were also held with representatives of civil organizations regarding the Appropriation Bill for 2026. During these discussions, the representatives presented their views on the transparency of the budget, the allocation of funds among various sectors, the issues currently identified, and their related proposals. The Chairman stated that these views and proposals will be referred to the Ministry of Finance for necessary action. Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayaweera, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith Agalakada, Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Sunil Rajapaksha, Thilina Samarakoon, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, were present at this committee meeting.
2025-11-13
Hon. Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi stated that an interim report containing the proposals and ideas formulated for establishing a proper plan and a formal institution aimed at preparing a formal salary scheme for the public service and elevating professionalism is scheduled to be submitted to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government on the 13th of this month. This was stated at the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Establishing a Formal Salary Scheme for the Public Service by Reviewing the Entire Public Service and Elevating Professionalism, appointed by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, held on 10.11.2025 in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi. Expressing his views at the meeting, the Chair stated that discussions had been held with various parties regarding the preparation of a formal salary structure and the enhancement of professionalism in the public service, and that their ideas and proposals had been obtained. He further stated that through these discussions, the committee was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the existing issues and salary disparities within their respective services. Accordingly, the Chair further stated that the interim report, which includes the ideas and proposals aimed at preparing a more formal and scientific salary scheme for all employees engaged in the public service, as well as making the existing service constitutions, recruitment procedures, promotions, and allowances fairer with a view to enhancing professionalism, will be submitted to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. Hon. Members of Parliament Ajantha Gammeddage and Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, other officials were present at this meeting.
2025-11-13
Committee expresses dissatisfaction over inefficiency in certain institutions – instructs that when they are summoned again, officials should present a specific time-bound action plan instead of vague technical explanations. Committee emphasizes the need for efficient implementation of budget proposals to meet public expectations. The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has reviewed the financial and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals of four ministries. This discussion took place recently (Nov. 11th) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament S.M. Marikkar. Accordingly, the Committee examined the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 relating to the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, and the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Secretaries of these ministries and heads of relevant institutions were summoned to the meeting. Attention was drawn to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project, for which Rs. 250 million had been allocated last year, yet its progress remains minimal. The Committee observed that although funds were allocated through the budget in March 2025, satisfactory progress has not been achieved, reflecting inefficiency within the Department of Railways. For the current year as well, Rs. 840 million has been allocated for the Kelani Valley Railway Line. However, the Committee noted that without a proper and efficient plan, it would be impossible to achieve the targeted progress, resulting ultimately in the public expectations not being met in due time.The Committee also reviewed the utilization of funds allocated for the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project under the 2025 budget and pointed out that the technical explanations provided by officials were completely unsatisfactory. Expressing regret over the continued delays in project implementation which ultimately leads to unutilized funds being returned to the Treasury, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the Department of Railways to present specific plans with timelines instead of vague technical responses. It was also decided to summon again the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and other relevant institutions to review the progress of fund utilization under the budget, and officials were directed to attend with accurate and complete data. Further attention was paid to the budget proposals of these four ministries, including highway and rural bridge renovation, procurement of new buses, renovation of Colombo apartment buildings under the Urban Development Authority, and future goals in the energy sector. The Committee also informed the officials of the Ports Authority to take steps to promptly submit the report on the possibility of making the Galle Port profitable, as previously notified. Additionally, the Chairman expressed appreciation for the performance of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, as revealed during previous Committee sessions. Hon. Members of Parliament Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Ravindra Bandara, Jagath Vithana, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe, and Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath were present at this committee meeting.
2025-11-13
Eleven performance Reports and seven Annual Reports pertaining to institutions falling under the Ministry of Defence were considered and approved by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection. The said Committee met in Parliament recently (Nov. 11) under the chairmanship of, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Najith Indika. Accordingly, the consideration of Annual Performance Report of the Department of Meteorology for the year 2023, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Sri Lanka Air Forces for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Sri Lanka Army for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Sri Lanka Navy for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Performance Reports of the Department of the Civil Security for the Years 2023 &2024, consideration of Annual Reports of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University for the Year 2022 & 2023, consideration of Annual Report of the Defence Service Command and Staff College for the year 2023, consideration of Annual Reports of the Disaster Management Centre for the Years 2022 & 2023, consideration of Annual Report of the Ranaviru Seva Authority for the Year 2023, consideration of Annual Report of the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd for the year 2020/2021 were approved post discussions held. The Hon. Members of Parliament, Thushari Jayasinghe, Attorney at Law, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney at Law, Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara were also present in this meeting.
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