New pension scheme

Jananee Weerarathne

COLOMBO:The Social Security Board on the directive of the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry will introduce a new pension scheme for those who are engaged in informal jobs from April 22.

Social Security Board Secretary V. Jegarajasingham addressing the media at Sethsiripaya yesterday said the scheme will benefit over Forty per cent of the population.

She said the Sahana pension scheme would be open for those whose monthly income was below Rs. 3,000, Thilina in respect of those earning below an income of Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 5,000 and the Isura in respect of those whose monthly income was between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 8,000. The Sarana scheme for those in the range of Rs. 1,600 - Rs. 6,000, Surakuma for those in the age group of 18 to 55 and Dhana Luxmi is open to all without age or salary limit.

She said plans are under way to introduce a new pension scheme for Journalists.

The proposal was before the Cabinet for approval.

Those who wish to join first three schemes could do so with a recommendation of the respective Grama Niladari of the area and the officers in charge of Social Services in the District or Provincial Secretariats. In respective of other three categories they could get them registered with Social Service Officers.