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Pensioners or retirees of the public service totals nearly four and a
half lakhs. With dependants this number swells to around 20 lakhs. These
are all registered voters and could influence the outcome of any
election. Any government in power should take due cognizance of these
citizens who in their prime have rendered dedicated service in their
various disciplines.
It is unfortunate that there exists a glaring disparity in the
pensions drawn by those who retired after 2006. In numerical terms it is
a staggering difference and increases with grades of service and
positions held. This constitutes a gross and grave anomaly and needs to
be resolved soon as age and sickness take a heavy toll and the number
keeps dwindling every year.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his lofty well intended vision Mahinda
Chinthanaya has fully recognized and addressed this issue. It sets forth
unequivocally, unambiguously and categorically that with every increase
of the salaries of public servants pension payments would be relatively
increased.
However, there have been two salary increases after 2006 and
pensioners who retired prior to 2006 have not received or granted this
increased benefit.
This matter should also receive the attention of Economic Development
Minister Basil Rajapaksa who views matter of this nature with
circumspect and compassion.
Pensioners who retired prior to 2006 have full faith and confidence
in the President and are hopeful that the matter will be resolved soon.
Pensioners in this category receive a meagre amount and does not
suffice to defray costs of medication, house rent and other obligations.
In the United States and the United Kingdom, pensioners are paid
weekly and the minimum amount totals about 45,000 rupees per month in
local currency. In the UK those over 65 are provided free travel on
public transport. They also receive a rebate on entry to places of
public interest. Pensions in the past were paid on a regular basis on
the fifth of each month. The irregularity in payments hinders meeting
their commitments on a planned basis. Most pensioners unlike today’s
public servants did not enjoy the range of facilities available. They
served under trying circumstances incongenial areas far removed from
their families. During their service period they experienced severe
hardships and also faced various repercussions due to uprisings and the
LTTE conflict. They remained at their posts under great stress and
strain.
It is incumbent of the government to recognize the role these feeble
and decrepit senior citizens have played during their public service
career genuinely and without blemish. This anomaly should be redressed
and this longstanding issue which is a just grievance must be resolved
speedily. This will enable these helpless individuals to spend their
last days without the burden of financial problems.
Pensioners are grateful for whatever that has been accomplished to
ameliorate their conditions and are fully confident that this
outstanding issue would be resolved favourably.
E Hilton D Perera
Recently around 11.45 am I went to purchase a dongle as the mobile
company, located at T B Jayah Mawatha. As part of their Avurudhu sales
promotion they were offering it at a special price of Rs 2,990. I was
given a token and when it came to my turn it was 12.15 pm. I had to
produce my ID and the sales assistant told me that my name was not
legible and asked me whether he could have my Company ID to prove my
identity. As I didn’t have it at that moment, I had to return home to
collect my passport.
When I went to this mobile company again with my passport, it was
around 2 pm. Once again, I was given a token and requested to take a
seat although I explained that there was an issue with my ID. When I
said I was not happy with this procedure and that I want to make a
complaint, I was directed to the sales manager who was also equally
helpless and asked me to go to the outlet located in reputed department
store in Town Hall saying that I could just get it, as there will be
only few customers.
But I decided to not to go to the department store as suggested by
the manager as it would take some more of my time. I took about 45
minutes (in addition to half an hour spent in the morning) to purchase a
dongle. When I left the premises, I told the manager that I will write
to the papers about the customers being kept for a long time.
he just smiled. Is it, this sort of customer care that the mobile
companies offer its clients?
Mohamed Zahran, Colombo 3.
I am writing this letter to enlighten our people of the atrocious
killings that took place in Sri Lanka by the LTTE.
It is so pathetic to note that the Channel 4 documentary on Sri Lanka
was shown to the world by the British media about the war crimes which
were supposed to have done by the Sri Lankan Army during the last stages
of war. This video was done to tarnish the image of our country which is
now free of terror and violence after a period of 30 years.
As a sister of a commanding officer of the Sri Lanka Navy, we have
undergone trauma and terror when our brother was engaged in the war.
Hence I suggest that to the Sri Lankan government to produce our own
video exposing the crimes which the LTTE had done during the 30 years of
war and present it to the United Nations Human Rights Council and bring
justice to our country.
Naomi Jayasinghe
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