Plight of suffering pensioners

State sector pensioners are experiencing severe difficulties due to the unprecedented rise in the cost of living.the 2017 and 2018 budgets had not granted any allowances, while state sector employees were granted Rs.10,000, thus increasing the salary anomalies of the pensioners who had retired before 2015.

President Maiththripala Sirisena announced at the very first propaganda meeting held in Haputale in support of the SLFP candidates contesting the 2017 local government elections promised to make all arrangements within two weeks to grant relief and financial allowances due to disappointed, disgusted, helpless pensioners who have served the country with utmost dedication.

The speech made by the president was broadcast on state-owned television channels, on the same day itself and the following day most of the national newspapers published it on its front pages giving further prominence.

The pensioners were happy about the President’s statement.

We on several occasions met many responsible ministers including the Minister of Finance were informed about the injustice and the problems faced by the pensioners. Unfortunately they had not taken any action to provide redress or relief to the pensioners who retired before 2015. Even though eleven months had passed after the President’s assurance we haven’t seen any tangible commitment by the relevant authorities towards helping this group of helpless and hapless senior citizens. Many pensioners are over 75 or 80 years and they are unable to hold protest campaigns by getting on to the streets like others fighting for their demands. One time a deserving public servant who had served with dedication for nearly 30 to 35 years are nearing their death with untold hardships and illness even sometimes without their loved ones to look after them.they don’t have a platform to air their grievances like others.

We humbly request the President to consider the pathetic situation of the senior citizens and fulfil his assurance in the forthcoming budget proposals and thus relieve the pensioners who are in distress. W.D.METHTHA PADMINI RAJAYA SEVA JATHIKA PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION, PUTTALAM DISTRICT