2,079 servicemen have received allowances

Some 2,079 servicemen have received an allowance of Rs.100,000 this year at the birth of their third child in their respective families, Parliament was informed today. Accordingly, 1,250 soldiers, 329 seamen and 500 airmen have benefitted from this scheme announced in the 2011 budget.

Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane informed the House in this regard in response to a question by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.  However, Mr. Gunawardane asked for one month to give the list of the names of beneficiaries.  

At this point, MP Karunanayake asked why the government could not table the list in Parliament promptly if the allowance had been given to such a number of soldiers.

“The government seems to be bluffing,” he said.

In reply, Mr. Gunawardane said that time is needed to compile the list.

“We did not decline to give you the list. We only asked for more time. It is a lengthy document.  It should be noted that every piece of paper used in the preparation of answers is a cost to parliamentary authorities,” he said. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)