The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you. Today we present the Bill to Abolish Parliamentary Pensions. We do so on the basis of the popular mandate we received. This was a clear pledge in our policy platform placed before the public at both the parliamentary and presidential elections; with a two-thirds in Parliament, we are bound to implement it.

¶ 02 Some said this follows the Chitrasiri Report. No. We bring it because of our electoral mandate. In fact, last year Hon. Ravi Karunanayake and Hon. Hesha Withanage brought Private Members’ Bills to abolish MPs’ pensions—apparently thinking we would not do it and seeking popularity thereby. Where are they today? Will they vote for this?

¶ 03 Many argued that to ensure quality service and prevent corruption, MPs need pensions. But the 1977 Act introduced pensions only after that year; prior generations entered politics without any expectation of a pension. Kannangara did not serve free education reforms expecting a pension. That is the point: we need such public-spirited representatives again.

¶ 04 We all can agree that leaders prior to 1977 are still held in public esteem for integrity and public service. The idea that pensions would improve quality after 1977 has not borne out. For the last four decades, compare the conduct of many Members with those earlier. The contrast is stark. Let us not demean the earlier generation by implying they served for pensions—they served for the public good. That is why we are bringing this Bill today.