Two disabled soldiers launch fast-unto death protest

Two disabled soldiers launched a fast-unto death at the Fort Railway Station today. The decision to launch the fast-unto death was taken hours after the government approval to grant the salaries and allowances to the disabled soldiers they received at the time of retirement, for life.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Mawbima Wenuwen Ranawiruwo organisation Convener, Attorney-at-Law Ajith Prasanna said the group of disabled soldiers decided to stage the protest at the Fort Railway station based on four demands and added the Government had given only one of them.

“The other three demands are to continue to pay the salary and allowance to the family members of the disabled solders even after their death, to continue to pay salary and allowance to the wives of the deceased war veterans even after they completed retirement age of 55 years and to pay the salary and allowance to the father and mother of unmarried deceased soldiers,” he said. “The disabled soldiers will fight until their demands are met,” he added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)