The Hon. K. V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, we are debating a landmark Bill—one that turns a new page in Sri Lankan politics. We earlier brought a Bill to abolish presidential privileges; now we bring the Bill to abolish parliamentary pensions. This fulfills a long-held public aspiration.

¶ 02 The people are averse to a political culture where rulers live in luxury off public funds. As President Anura Kumara Dissanayake repeatedly says, what the people get is what rulers should get. For too long, citizens and rulers lived on two different planes. In an era of economic crisis, malnutrition and anaemia, it is unjust for presidents and MPs to enjoy opulent lives on public resources. Rebuilding trust among citizens and investors requires us to forgo privileges and demonstrate sacrifice at the top.

¶ 03 Since 1977, the law built and then expanded a pension scheme for MPs—retrospectively covering those since 1931; later allowing pensions after five years; then to widows, spouses, children, disabled children for life, and National List MPs—layer upon layer. Today we are cutting through that edifice.

¶ 04 Why does society call this pension unjust? A public servant retires at 60 after decades of contribution. An MP may qualify after only five years—someone elected at 20 could, in theory, qualify at 25; others barely attend or work and yet qualify. We even had Members absent abroad for years still entitled. This is why the public views it as unfair.

¶ 05 Compare entry criteria: the armed forces and police require height, chest, fitness, and qualifications. Parliament requires none of that, and in the past even drug lords and underworld figures entered these benches—then drew pensions from public funds. We reject that.

¶ 06 The Opposition Leader says pensions should continue for MPs, but opposed raising plantation workers’ wage by Rs. 200—complained to the Auditor General, CIABOC, and committees; even media secretaries and MPs protested. When it benefits the people, it is “illegal”; when it benefits MPs, it is fine? We increased the plantation daily wage by Rs. 400 after 39 rounds of talks, with the President himself chairing several sessions—this was not handed out casually.

¶ 07 They claim they came to sacrifice even life for the country, yet they wail to preserve an MP pension. Historically, MPs received an array of allowances and facilities, and security. We are changing that—official residences for Ministers have been removed; the President relinquished most of his official houses; luxury vehicles cut; only essential facilities retained. Abolishing MPs’ pensions is part of a broader ethos of sacrifice by example.

¶ 08 If, however, there are former Members—whether from the SJB, SLPP or elsewhere—who genuinely cannot survive, our Government is ready to consider compassionate assistance to safeguard their basic needs. But the old politics is over. If the Opposition wants a future, join us in building a cleaner politics; the public will not accept the stale, foul-smelling old ways.

¶ 09 We pledged “A Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life.” We will keep sacrificing and working to realize that.

¶ 10 Thank you.