Bill to abolish MPs pension passed

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

The bill to abolish MPs pensions was approved in Parliament without a vote during the third reading yesterday. 

The amendments proposed by MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake were rejected. 

The proposals included inserting an amendment to take away the retrospective effect and to allow a pension to those who are more than 65 years of age. 

A division was called for the amendment proposed by MP Dassanayake, with 152 members voting against it and four in favour. 

Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna voted with the government during this instance. 

The second reading of the Bill was passed by a two-thirds majority. Some 154 members voted in favour while two voted against. SJB MPs, some Tamil MPs, including those from IATK were absent during the time of voting.