My pension was Rs.25,000: Chandrika

9 November 2015 03:29 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga said she received a pension of Rs. 25,000 per month until Cabinet increased it to Rs. 98,500, last week.

She said that the president's salary was Rs. 25,000 when she first took office as president in 1994, and it had not been increased when she completed her term in 2005. However, she said ministers' salaries had been increased from Rs. 14,000 in 1994 to Rs. 35,000, in the hope that they would not be susceptible to bribery.

She said the ministers' salaries were again increased to Rs. 60,000, while her salary (as president) and that of the then prime minister (her mother Sirimavo Bandaranaike) had remained Rs. 25,000 and Rs.20,000 respectively.

"The pension of the president is based on the last salary he or she drew and, consequently, my pension remained unchanged at Rs. 25,000 until last week, while former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had had his salary increased to Rs. 98,000, and even the former MPs drew pensions of Rs. 40,000," she said.

Ms. Kumaratunga said that several letters had been sent to the then president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, by her office requesting an increase in her pension, but his secretary, Lalith Weeratunga had sent her three replies rejecting her request.

It was only after President Maithripala Sirisena came to office that her request was granted, she said.

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Comments - 18

Sammy Monday, 09 November 2015 11:16 AM

She needs pension to buy peanuts!

Laiya Tuesday, 10 November 2015 06:34 AM

හරි අමාරුවෙන් වෙන්නැති මේ ටිකේ ජීවත් වුනේ.

Perera Monday, 09 November 2015 09:30 PM

Hi chandi,your wages and pension has been increased by your budy, because he came to power your one eye power, hahahahaaaaaaaa,sorry to our country again.

Siri Monday, 09 November 2015 09:26 PM

My pension is Rs. 500. Ane, help!!

Appuhami Monday, 09 November 2015 12:25 PM

She proved Bandula .Gunawardana theary as she managed with all her expenses from her Salary including air ticket to LONGDON.Wow!!!!!!!!

Coconut Republic Monday, 09 November 2015 12:11 PM

Is she getting pension in UK too?

Mandy Monday, 09 November 2015 11:30 AM

Can a jvp MP ask the minister in charge how many past MPs are being paid pensions currently and how much per month. This will be revealing the colossal wastage we have to carry on our shoulders per month.

Bala Monday, 09 November 2015 11:26 AM

But the saddest thing is that any MP after 5 years of even no talk at Parliament get Rs40000 per month pension for life. There are so many like that and we have to pay for no service to these parasites.

Hirann Monday, 09 November 2015 11:26 AM

What ever her weaknesses she lead this country during a very difficult time. - central bank bombing, katunayake attacks, elephant pass debacle and the list goes on. Despite these hardships the average econimic growth during her tenure was around 5.7 pc. An incredible achievement given the circumstances. People in sri lanka must come off the delusion that CBK was a lame duck president.

Charura Monday, 09 November 2015 09:26 AM

Tell us why you deserve such a pension , what have you done for the country

haris Monday, 09 November 2015 11:05 AM

294% Pay Increase. Vow!!!!

Sheik Mansoor Monday, 09 November 2015 10:54 AM

Emirates ...............Sri Lankan...................hmmmmmmmmmmm

NAF Monday, 09 November 2015 10:25 AM

What about your commissions from deals

Lakshman De Silva Monday, 09 November 2015 10:09 AM

With all this low pay, how did you manage to buy a luxury home in London?..and live in England

ANTON Monday, 09 November 2015 10:04 AM

THAT GOES TO RAMZI, FOR A ONE DAY MAKE UP EH ?

Ram Monday, 09 November 2015 09:44 AM

Good deed by MS. I think it is time to increase the pensions of those who retired in the seventies and eighties as they receive only a token pension on todays terms

BG Monday, 09 November 2015 09:33 AM

Madam Why do you need Increase when Bandula Gunawardena said a Family Can live with Rs 3500.00In addition to get lots of Perks

Karun Monday, 09 November 2015 09:31 AM

Ane hari paw"!!!please tell these to konde badapu cheenunta!!!

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My pension was Rs.25,000: Chandrika

Comments - 18

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