News
Committee on Ways and Means recommends Pensions Dept to devise formula for augmenting pension benefits in line with prevailing COL
The Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means last Wednesday (29) recommended to the Department of Pensions to formulate a compassionate strategy to augment pension benefits in accordance with the prevailing cost of living index, parliament sources said.
Chaired by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, the committee deliberated on this crucial matter involving various government entities, including the Department of Pensions, National Secretariat for Elders, and representatives from pensioners’ associations.
It was revealed during the meeting that the Department of Pensions administers over 700,000 active pensioners, with some individuals inactive due to ongoing investigations or deceases. Approximately 26,000 retirees, comprising 19,000 from civil services and 7,000 from the armed forces, join the active pensioner roster annually. Unfortunately, about 20,000 retirees are removed from the list due to mortality. The department has earmarked Rs. 413 billion monthly for pensions, with a gratuity equivalent to 24 times the pension for individuals retiring at 55 years, payable over a decade.
The National Secretariat for Elders currently disburses a monthly allowance of 2,000 rupees to low-income earners above 70 years with a monthly income below 6,000 rupees, extending assistance to 733,204 individuals validated by Grama Niladhari certificates. The Committee Chair instructed officials to provide detailed statistics on additions, departures due to decease, and the number of elders on the waiting list for allowances.
A considerable discrepancy in pension benefits emerged between pre-2017 and post-2020 retirees due to incremental salary increases for public servants. The decision to suspend the pension increase in 2020 and subsequent salary raises for teacher principals in 2021 aggravated the disparity. Pensioners lamented that the Rs. 10,000 salary increase in 2024 only led to a meager Rs. 2500 rise in pension, which failed to align with the escalating cost of living, urging for a recalibration of pension increments tied to the cost of living index.
The Agrahara insurance scheme’s benefits, available to post-2016 retirees, sparked calls to extend similar advantages to pre-2016 retirees. Committee Chair MP Ranawaka mandated officials to appoint a Department of Pensions representative for discussions with pensioners’ associations scheduled to be held this week (Dec 15) to address their concerns.
Suggestions were made to incorporate senior citizens’ allowance and disability beneficiaries into the social benefits list, emphasizing the urgency of a digital system to promptly update pensioner deceases for efficient pension disbursements. The committee’s recommendations signal a humanitarian approach to address pension disparities and fortify support for the retired populace.State Ministers Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Anuradha Jayaratne, and MPs W. D. J. Seneviratne and Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda were also present.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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