The Retired MPs Collective is considering legal action if the government proceeds with abolishing pensions for Members of Parliament, according to its secretary, Premasiri Manage.
Manage highlighted that around 30 retired MPs from the JVP are currently dependent on their pensions, while 50 other JVP parliamentarians had left public service to enter politics. “What will happen to them if their pensions are slashed?” he questioned.
He further stated that retired MPs plan to lodge complaints with the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva over the matter.
Last month, the Cabinet of Ministers approved draft legislation aimed at repealing pensions for MPs and revoking special privileges for former Presidents and their families.
Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa, speaking at a cabinet media briefing, announced that the Legal Draftsman has been instructed to prepare two separate bills: one to abolish MPs’ pensions and another to eliminate special entitlements for ex-Presidents and their families.
Dr. Jayatissa noted that the decision aligns with the Government’s broader policy framework, ‘Pohosath Ratak – Lassana Jeewithayak’ (A Wealthy Country – A Beautiful Life), which reflects the public mandate.
He emphasized that the move addresses the people’s demand to repeal excessive and unjustified benefits previously granted to MPs and former Presidents.
Once enacted, the reforms would abolish the lifetime pension system currently granted to MPs after just five years of service and revoke state-funded perks such as housing, vehicles, staff, and other allowances for former Presidents and their families.
