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President addresses Parliament:
New Pensions Bill next month
Parliament Corrs
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stated that a Bill will be
moved in Parliament next month to establish a Contributory Pension Fund
for the working class in this country as pledged in the budget
proposals.
President Rajapaksa made this observation yesterday in Parliament
joining the second reading debate on nine Bills related to tax
regulations in line with the 2011 budget proposals.
The President further stated that with this move the pension that was
confined to the public servants will now be extended to the employees of
State banks, corporation, the private sector, for those employed
overseas making a tremendous contribution to the national coffers and
for these self-employed including farmers, fishermen, artistes etc.
The President added that with the enactment of the Act a secure
social system will be established so that the working class will be
restored with a permanent income for life after retirement.
President Rajapaksa further stated that the Government created the
highest economic stability during the recent past. The exchange rate has
been stable for the last two years. The interest rates have been brought
down.
President Rajapaksa stated that establishment of million domestic
economies units is another stable income source for the people. Another
means of stabilizing the economy is to make each employee entitled to a
pension.
The President also stated another revolutionary development in the
recent past was to rid the urban areas of garbage, beautifying them.
President Rajapaksa also stressed that the future vision of Mahinda
Chintanaya was to enable the people of this country to live as dignified
nation in the world economy while making both villages and towns equally
attractive.
He added that to realize this vision was a matter of pride for the
Government while accepting it to be an investment for the younger
generation in the country.
The President also invited the opposition to join hands to fulfill
the wishes of the people.
President Rajapaksa further stated that the public has been able to
protect the benefits gained through peace and development.
He added the very fact is obvious by the trust that the people have
placed in the Government at the recent Local Government elections. The
trust, the people kept on us at the Presidential election, General
election and the recent Local Government election is a good index of the
sustainable development program persued by the Government.
The President further added that the message of the people gave at
the election provide direction to both of those living this country as
well as in the opposition.
President Rajapaksa stated the message conveyed by the voters was to
work with dedication and for love the nation.
He added that the public demanded of the Government to commit
ourselves to build the nation preserving the dignity and image of the
country.
President Rajapaksa also stated that the time has reached to a point
to consider the damage on the image of the country caused by false
allegation of corruptions and crimes made by the Opposition in the
international communities.
President Rajapaksa also said that certain news reports in newspapers
cause damage to the image of the country, whether it is done
deliberately or not.
He added that all politicians should be mature enough to engage in
democratic politics devoid of those mistakes.
The President also commented on the service rendered by the public
servants an the personnel of the three forces to provide relief to the
innocent people affected by the recent unprecedented floods.
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