Don’t count on politicians giving unrealistic promises, Anunayake Thera says

By Shane Seneviratne

Anunayake of Malwatta Chapter Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera said the people should not depend on the unrealistic promises of politicians made during the election campaigns.   

Ven. Wimaladhamma Thera pointed out that the election promises of politicians are never fulfilled after the victory and that it is quite possible that the government, while abolishing the pensions of former parliamentarians, would implement a pension scheme for another group.  

During a meeting with “Apith Ranaviruwoo” (We are Ranaviru Personnel Too) Organisations Ven. Thera pointed out that the politicians in the past had made election promises, particularly regarding the rice ration that were beyond fulfilling. He said bringing rice from the moon and the eight measures of rice were such unrealistic promises.   

They pointed out that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promised during the Presidential election campaign to implement a handsome pension scheme for security force personnel retired after 12 year service contract, but it is yet to be a reality.    A group of members of “Apith Ranaviruvo Organisation” led by its President Anura Senerathgoda and Secretary Kumara Wijesinghe called on the Anunayaka Thera of Malwatta Chapter to request him to draw the attention of the President to the issues affecting the security force personnel who retired after a service of 12 years.   

They informed the Ven, Anunayaka Thera, that a formal pension scheme, the issue of Ranaviru Identity cards for them, medical facilities at the Military Hospital, and a military salute at their funerals were their main demands.