Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Karu urges President to reconsider abolishing MPs’ pensions
Colombo, Jan. 23 (Daily Mirror) - Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake calling for a reconsideration of the proposal to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament.
In a letter sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, politics was largely dominated by an educated and wealthy elite. However, he said a major social transformation after 1956 enabled ordinary citizens to enter public life and serve in Parliament.
He cautioned that under the present circumstances, removing MPs’ pensions would once again restrict politics to the wealthy, business interests, those who acquire money through illicit means, and well-funded political parties. This, he warned, would discourage honest social workers and individuals from modest backgrounds from entering politics.
The former Speaker also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable work, the majority depend on the pension as their main source of livelihood.
Jayasuriya has therefore urged the President to give due consideration to the issue and take appropriate steps, particularly as the government moves toward drafting a new Constitution in the future.
Comments - 15
Recommended
You May Also Like
Trending
