Private sector pension scheme:

'None can oppose strengthening employees' lives'

No party can oppose the proposed new private sector pension scheme aimed to strengthen employees' evening of life, said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne when he attended a religious ceremony held at the Pattini Devalaya in Attanakumbura, Maturata to mark the planting of a Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi sapling recently.

The Prime Minister said the prime motive behind certain parties opposing this scheme was to disrupt the government's efforts to ensure a better future for the people.

He said the President and the government were working with a clear objective of catering to the needs of the people.

The government would never be discouraged by the opposition or other parties who try to disrupt government activities for petty political gains.

The Prime Minister said another problem was the lack of a proper understanding about the pension scheme. Therefore, the government had now taken steps to educate the people on the benefits of the proposed pension scheme.

Delving on the leadership training programme for new entrants to universities, the Prime Minister said the opposition had made it another bone of contention for petty political gain.

"The leadership programme was designed to create a disciplined child generation in the country. An institution, country or a society without proper leadership would never march towards development and progress.

"It was most strange and disheartening to note certain sections opposing moves to steer the young generation on the correct path," he said.

Most Ven Galagama Aththadassi Anunayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter and Provincial Council members Saliya Dissanayake, S B Ratnayake and Jayaratne Dissanayake were also present at the occasion.