Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Tuesday, 20 January 2026

10th Parliament· 23 debates· 219 speeches· 59 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23200 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

‹ Previous sitting Next sitting ›

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  14. 14 Oral question Oral Question: Pension Entitlements and Samurdhi Banks Computerization (Q.67/2026) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to report on unresolved pension entitlements and arrears affecting Samurdhi Development Officers, including Government measures and timelines to address them. He also sought information on plans and progress for a promotions and grading system, action to expedite disciplinary proceedings over alleged misconduct and corruption, and steps to complete the computerization of the Samurdhi Bank system.

      Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB

      AI summary The Minister said many pension entitlement and arrears issues relating to Samurdhi Development Officers had been resolved, but officers recruited in 1995 without minimum educational qualifications remained an issue, and steps were being taken, including individual Cabinet decisions and termination of service for those continuing beyond age 55 without qualifications. He stated that promotion schemes for Samurdhi Development Officers and Manager-grade officers had been prepared, with the Management Assistant scheme approved by Cabinet in December 2025 and referred to the Public Service Commission. He also said Samurdhi banks had been brought under Government audit through an amendment to the Act, internal audit and investigation capacity had been strengthened, and procurement and Cabinet action had begun to computerize all Samurdhi banks on a unified digital network.

      EmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised a supplementary question regarding long-standing pension issues faced by Samurdhi Development Officers, including some recruited after exceeding the usual age limit following a past political upheaval. Acknowledging current fiscal constraints, he asked whether the Government could provide an interim allowance or other relief until their pensions are regularized.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB

      AI summary Over 25,000 staff serve in the Samurdhi Development Department, but the issue raised concerns a small group lacking minimum educational qualifications. The Minister said discussions were held with pensions and ministry officials, and that an interim allowance cannot be granted under current regulations without Cabinet approval, so a Cabinet Paper is being prepared. He added that other issues related to converting employees from EPF contributions to pension entitlements during the transition from the Samurdhi Authority to the Department have now been resolved.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised concerns about delays in computerizing Samurdhi Banks and the continued reliance on handwritten, paper-based transactions. He stated that beneficiaries face difficulties such as not receiving funds, being unable to withdraw savings, or obtain loans, and asked whether an interim SMS-based programme could be introduced to inform and guide them.

      Women & ChildrenPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage stated that operational problems in the Samurdhi banking system stem from its long reliance on manual processes since the Samurdhi Authority was established in 1995. He said about 450 banks have shifted to computerized operations over the past year, and the Government is working to integrate 1,097 banks and 335 societies into a single digital network to address remaining issues.

      Public FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →