A word of warning from pensioners

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His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has continued to show his highly sensitive concerns towards the plight of the government pensioners. This is quite clear from the following statements that he has made over the years (the list is not exhaustive):

1.    “Mahinda Chintana — Towards a New Sri Lanka” (page 48);
“Respected Senior Citizens’ Programme”

• Pensions to be increased with the public servants’ salary increases
• Anomalies in the present pension payments to be rectified and the pensions system to be amended to reflect the self-respect of the pensioners.

2.     “A Brighter Future - Presidential Election 2010; Mahinda Chintana - Vision for the Future; Towards a New Sri Lanka”
“Support to our Pensioners”

•  While rejecting the perception promoted by the previous governments that the monthly pension drawn by public servants was a “charitable donation”, I would take measures to establish that pensions are an honourable and dignified payment in recognition of their valuable contribution to the country
• I would synchronise the pensions of government servants who have retired prior to 2006 with the respective salary structure of 2006, and make the necessary provision from the next budget.

The specific reference above to 2006 has been made because of the major salary increase awarded to public servants in that year and the failure to offer an adequate increase in the pensions to those who had retired prior to that, resulting in their receiving a pension of about 50% of what was (and is) received by their counterparts who retire(d) after the salary increase. H.E. had recognised the gravity of this problem and considered it warranted specific reference in his Election Manifesto. What he had promised is a principle that has to be upheld in the future, too, so that whenever a salary increase is awarded to public servants, those who had retired prior to that should also receive the (increased) pension that would be received by their counterparts who had got the salary increase.

"Some highly placed politicians and their cronies including some officials enjoy extremely luxurious and extravagant life styles while poor fixed wage-earners are unable to make ends meet."

It is a matter of regret that the relevant authorities have not provided the necessary support to the President to fulfil the promises that he has made. Some responsible officers currently in (government) service seem to feel that the plight of the pensioners is no concern of theirs. They do not seem to realise that they, too, as well as those who have already retired after the salary increase of 2006, would face a similar or even worse plight sooner or later, unless the above principle is upheld and implemented; with the current inflationary trends, considerable increases in public service salaries would have to be made regularly.

Some highly placed politicians and their cronies including some officials enjoy extremely luxurious and extravagant life styles while poor fixed wage-earners are unable to make ends meet. At the same time, crooked politicians lament from public platforms that a lack of funds prevents them from giving the much needed increase to public sector wages and pensions. They claim that the large majorities obtained by the government at all elections show that the general public are willingly making sacrifices because of the good work done by them! They do not realise that they muster their support solely from the goodwill of the public towards the President for the leadership given to end the thirty-year war, and nothing have they done, except having a good time and amassing ill-gotten wealth. This bluff has to end. Otherwise, there would be dire consequences. To prevent that calamity, it is time that an early warning is given to the relevant authorities. If not, the authorities would carry on regardless and it would be too late. People would show their frustration, and even the President’s popularity would not be enough to stop the change; ‘The Wonder of Asia’ would crumble into pieces.
The forthcoming Provincial Council elections are an opportunity to give that warning. A defeat or a reduction in its majority at this election would not adversely affect the stability of the government. It would, however, be a warning that everything is not going the right way. The government would then have time to undo its wrongs and forge ahead.

So, let us, all public servants and pensioners in the Central, North Western and Northern Provinces, show our solidarity and strength, and give this silent warning in a timely manner; let us cast our votes against the government and its allies at the forthcoming Provincial Council elections, unless the authorities make a firm commitment on public service wages and pensions, and commence its implementation by fulfilling the promises made in the Mahinda Chintana as mentioned above.

Convener
Public Servants and Government Pensioners
(A group of disappointed and frustrated public servants and pensioners who have been supporting the President
over a decade)