State must not provide pensions to MPs and official residences to ex-Presidents

Economynext of 29 March reported that former MP and NPP executive Samantha Vidyaratne had said that, once they won the elections to be held this year, the NPP Cabinet would abolish the pensions and the official residences given to former Presidents. What have the SLPP, SJB and the UNP go to say to this?  Former Presidents and Cabinet Ministers enacted laws to safeguard the interests of their families.

Early this year, the Supreme Court quashed a Cabinet decision that allowed former President Maithripala Sirisena to continue to occupy the official residence at Paget Road after the completion of his tenure.

The pensions given to MP’s after being in Parliament for five years consecutively should also be abolished. Both public and private sector employees have to sweat until they are 55 to become eligible for pensions. Further, MP’s are also entitled to duty-free vehicle permits, subsidised sumptuous meals from the Parliament canteen, office allowances and other perks. Ministers give employment to their family members by appointing them as coordinating secretaries, etc. Thus, they are lining their pockets while the people have to tighten their belts.

Dr. P. A. Samaraweera