One month annual bonus for pensioners too - UNP
 

BY Bharatha Malawaraarachchi and Nirushi Wimalaweera

A ONE month annual bonus pledged to the Government servants will be provided to all the pensioners as well, after UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe becomes the President, Galle District UNP MP Vajira Abeywardena told a press briefing yesterday.

He said the public servants who do not like to take this additional salary in December could obtain it in April. Earlier, UNP's election manifesto announced that every state sector employee will be paid a special allowance each December.

"Besides, steps will be taken to provide this one month salary to employees of every company that does not pay one month additional salary as a bonus to its employees," Abeywardena told a press briefing at the Opposition Leader's office yesterday.

He explained that the accepted procedure worldwide is to pay thirteen months salary per year for the state sector employees.

"A similar system is being implemented in countries such as Japan and Singapore and this system will be implemented in Sri Lanka from this year."

Abeywardena noted that without printing new money, the economy could be improved and the Government sector could be developed.

"The UNP's "Peoples' agenda' has been prepared to achieve these targets."

He recalled that the previous UNF regime of Ranil Wickremesinghe removed pension anomalies and as a result, pensions were increased to a greater extent benefitting a large number of pensioners.

He pledged that anomalies of the pensioners will be removed with effect from December 01, 2004 under a future UNP Government.

Referring to accusations levelled against the UNP that it did not provide employment in the State sector, Abeywardena said their UNP Government filled only the available vacancies. "We did not give political appointments in the state sector."