The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, as the Leader of the House is present, I wish to raise, in a minute, an issue affecting a large number of people.

¶ 02 Our most valuable group is our senior citizens. Many who worked in the private sector invested their EPF/ETF lump sums in fixed deposits and live on the interest for food, medicine, and religious activities. Under our Government, senior citizens over 60 received a special interest rate of 15% on fixed deposits up to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 million. It was gradually reduced during the past Government’s economic crisis, and now your Government has reduced it to 7.5%. But page 606 of your policy statement “Prosperous Country, Beautiful Life” promises an extra 5% above normal bank rates for senior citizens’ fixed deposits. Why then was it reduced? Senior citizens — a group that greatly supported you — are waiting for this promise. When will this be increased — even via the next Budget? Please clarify, Leader of the House.