The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Defence, I answer as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) For military personnel who died due to terrorist causes, the widow/dependents are paid monthly salary and allowances from the date of death until the notional age of 55 years of the deceased. Thereafter, the widow’s and orphan’s pension and dependents’ allowances are granted to the widow. Upon the completion of age 55 of the deceased, the widow’s and orphan’s pension is adjusted and paid as a fixed monthly allowance equivalent to the value of the salary drawn at the age of 55, payable for life.

¶ 03 Further, for unmarried personnel wounded due to terrorist causes and medically retired, even if they subsequently marry after retirement, subject to prevailing policy and necessary amendments to the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions (Armed Forces) Ordinance (as amended by Act No. 18 of 1970 and Act No. 60 of 1998) and related regulations, approval has been granted to proceed with amendments to ensure eligibility for widow and orphan benefits for the surviving spouse and children. As the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions Scheme (civil) does not extend to dependents of eligible tri-forces regular/volunteer personnel and other officers, approval has also been granted to amend the Armed Forces Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions provisions accordingly.

¶ 04 (ii) After the deceased’s notional age of 55 years, in terms of MoD Circular No. MOD/01/2021 dated 18.05.2021, the widow is paid for life a fixed monthly allowance equivalent to the value of the salary as at the deceased’s notional age of 55.

¶ 05 (b) (i) For those missing in action, under Section 12 of the Registration of Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 19 of 2010, a death certificate may be issued one year after disappearance. In terms of MoD Circular No. MOD/01/2021 dated 18.05.2021, a fixed monthly allowance is paid with effect from the date on which the missing person would have reached the age of 55. (ii) Where a death certificate has been issued, the same applies under the aforesaid Circular. (iii) No injustice arises as the relevant allowances are payable. (iv) As stated in (a)(i).

¶ 06 (c) Does not arise.