The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to take part in today’s historic debate on the Parliamentary Pensions (Abolition) Bill. This Bill seeks to repeal the Parliamentary Pensions Act, No. 1 of 1977 of the National State Assembly, and it is presented at a time when all Sri Lankans, united with the Government to implement the policy measures of “A Prosperous Nation – A Beautiful Life,” expect delivery on the Government’s program. It is also brought to fulfil a pledge repeatedly made by the President, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

¶ 02 Public servants toil for decades—20 to 30 years—contributing from their salaries toward pensions they receive upon retirement. Members of Parliament are not sent here to build personal careers; they are sent to serve the people. We promised the people that we would abolish parliamentary pensions.

¶ 03 Politicians have repeatedly amended the law to suit themselves, extending pension benefits to spouses, children, and beyond. MPs may have made sacrifices and served the public, and we respect genuine service; may God accept their good deeds. But sitting in Opposition and arguing that “We must receive pensions; we do politics as a profession, not as a service” is not what people expect.

¶ 04 We are committed to building a new political culture. While some continue to defend unearned lifetime pensions without any contributory basis for elected representatives and their families, we believe such privileges must end.

¶ 05 As we continue on a people-centred path, we are receiving international recognition. According to Verité Research’s February 2026 “Mood of the Nation” poll, public confidence is returning—particularly confidence in the President—now at 65 percent. The economy is also being rebuilt as people hoped.

¶ 06 On corruption, global indices show Sri Lanka advancing by 14 positions, reflecting our efforts to reduce corruption and fraud. With increased fiscal space and a recovering economy, the Opposition thinks 2026 is the year to topple the Government. But public confidence in the President is stronger today than when he assumed office.

¶ 07 We are acting decisively to eliminate narcotics, and to curb corruption and fraud. Tourism is being revitalized to bring in foreign exchange. The estate workers—long neglected—are finally seeing meaningful wage increases after years of struggle.

¶ 08 We are creating coastal parks across districts based on the President’s vision; in Ampara alone, ten are being developed, with two already opened. Education reforms have wide public acceptance. The Government’s “Praja Shakthi” program to eradicate rural poverty is being welcomed even by those who did not vote for the President, as an effective village-level anti-poverty initiative.

¶ 09 We wake up each day with a renewed sense of peace and confidence. Thank you for the opportunity.