A fundamental rights petition was filed before the Supreme Court today against the government’s attempt to slash pensions of former government employees. The petition was filed by the Chairman of the National Trade Union Center (NTUC) and National People’s Power candidate K.D Lalkantha.
Speaking to the media, Lalkantha said the NTUC had made continuous requests for allowances paid to government employees be added to their basic salaries. “We were successful and all allowances were eventually added to their basic salaries,” he said adding that however pensioners did not benefit from this.
Noting that the previous government had made promises regarding this through circulars, Lalkantha said, however, the new government led by Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa has halted the circulars. “It is unclear now when the pensioners will get this benefit. The government merely has said it will be provided through a budget in the future” he noted.
According to Lalkantha pensioners are those who toiled for their country and hope to earn some rest in their retirement. “This is a serious slight on the senior citizens who served their country for many years,” he said.
“They have slashed a benefit that they duly deserve and should get. While we have launched protests and other forms of against it we decided to also seek redress from the courts. People do not being a government into power to lose their rights” he added.
He also noted the government has failed in other promises to workers such as providing an additional Rs. 1000 to estate workers.
