The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, the reply is as follows:

¶ 02 1) Every Monday is Public Day at the Department of Pensions. If Monday is a public holiday, another weekday is designated. On Public Day, beneficiaries can directly meet the relevant executive officer/section head tasked with their subject, to discuss issues and obtain information. On other weekdays, beneficiaries can also visit; an executive officer is assigned at the front inquiries counter to provide information and oversee resolution. For high-demand areas such as Foreign Pensions and Widows/Widowers and Orphans (W&OP), officers are stationed at the front inquiries counter from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily.

¶ 03 Phone responses are provided to some daily calls, but staffing is insufficient to answer all. We are arranging recruitments and creating 15 dedicated call-handling posts, and assigning additional staff to the 1970 hotline.

¶ 04 Online coordination with District and Divisional Secretariats on pension-related duties is already underway. We will also explore and arrange mechanisms for pensioners to connect online via those offices and discuss their issues.

¶ 05 Training programs are being conducted to improve knowledge, skills and attitudes of officers handling pensions at District and Divisional Secretariats, with necessary facilities provided.

¶ 06 An Advisory Council has been established at the Ministry; all district-related pension issues can already be presented there through public representatives.

¶ 07 On any weekday, officers of state institutions handling pension matters can meet Department executives and section heads.

¶ 08 Awareness programs for other state institutions on pension payment procedures are ongoing. Issues are raised during these programs and solutions provided.

¶ 09 For centralized (online) submissions: If a complete, error-free pension application is submitted, the first pension is granted in the following month. For W&OP: death gratuity is paid in about two months and W&OP pension in about three months, if documents are complete.

¶ 10 Regarding application copies: After retirement, the last employing institution sends the application to the retiree for signature/confirmation and then forwards it to the Department. Since the retiree confirms correctness before submission, sending another copy back is unnecessary. If needed, the retiree may request a photocopy from his/her personal file at the last institution.

¶ 11 On age limits: Under Administrative Circular 23/94, the maximum age for recruitment to public service posts is 45. In certain instances, appointments over 45 were made; before paying pensions, Cabinet approval for such appointments is required. Even after Cabinet approval, pensions can be granted only if other requirements of the Pensions Minute are met: (i) Appointment to a permanent and pensionable post, (ii) Confirmation in that post, (iii) Aggregate service of 120 months, (iv) Proper retirement from service.

¶ 12 If requirements are not met, a one-time service gratuity or compensation allowance may be paid according to service.