The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Defence, I make the following statement:

¶ 02 There were recent media reports falsely claiming that the Rs. 750 monthly “Maa Piya Rekawaranaya” allowance paid to parents of war heroes has been halted. The Ministry of Defence has taken no such decision. This allowance continues to be paid by the Tri-Forces and the Ranaviru Seva Authority to eligible parents. Beneficiaries are required to submit life certificates biannually—once for the first six months and once for the second six months. Where the life certificate has not been submitted, payments have been temporarily suspended by the paying institutions until the certificate is provided. Upon submission, payments resume. The allowance has not been halted.

¶ 03 This is a safeguard arising from administrative requirements. The Ministry urges the Ranaviru community and the public not to be misled by false reports alleging a stoppage.

¶ 04 The Ranaviru Seva Authority has 32,867 beneficiaries. By end-June, 17,636 had received payments for the first half-year. As of July, 4,727 have sent life certificates for the second half-year, leaving 28,140 who have not yet submitted those certificates. Therefore, with compassion, the Authority’s Board has approved payment of the second half-year allowance to the 17,636 whose first-half life certificates are valid. Funds were credited on the 20th and 21st.

¶ 05 Additionally, all Divisional Secretariats have been requested to inform beneficiaries and expedite life certificates via Grama Niladharis. Responses are being received. Families are instructed to promptly notify the Authority with a death certificate upon a beneficiary’s death. Since the allowance is non-transferable, there is sometimes limited interest to report deaths, creating difficulties in payment control. Payments to deceased persons would constitute misuse of state funds in audits. Therefore, due notification is essential.

¶ 06 We request the media to act ethically. Misrepresentations create a false impression that this Government is reversing benefits to war heroes. We recognize the Ranaviru community as a disciplined, special segment that protected this nation.

¶ 07 Thank you, Hon. Speaker.