Twenty percent pension hike for soldiers

Disna Mudalige

Pensions of all retired soldiers will be increased from 65 percent to 85 percent from January 1, 2010.

This will be offered for soldiers who retired after 2006. Army Commander Major General Jagath Jayasuriya is discussing to give this benefit even for the soldiers who retired before 2006, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday. Nanayakkara noted that soldiers who have abandoned the service will be given legal resignation from the army.

"We have got 3,713 applications from soldiers so far to resign," he added.

He also said that with effect from December 31 midnight the curfew in Jaffna will be totally lifted.

The curfew is enforced in Jaffna from midnight to 4 a.m. for security reasons, and this will be lifted since it is not needed any more.