SL migrant workers will receive pensions soon: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that steps would be taken shortly to provide a pension to Sri Lankan migrant workers, which he said would take a few months.

The President said that while such a measure has been under discussion for quite some time the new unity government was prepared to act on the mandate given to it at the Presidential Election and put it into action. He said this promise was included in their election manifesto as well

This scholarship programme has been implemented for the children of migrant workers who are registered with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau

President Sirisena made these comments at the national ceremony to grant scholarships to children of migrant workers held yesterday (8) at Temple Trees.

President Sirisena said the government was paying attention to the difficulties faced by migrant workers who contribute to the national economy by bringing in much needed foreign exchange. He said the government was committed to taking care of the welfare of their families.

This scholarship programme has been implemented for the children of migrant workers who are registered with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB). Their children who pass the Grade 5 Scholarship, G. C. E. Ordinary Level and G. C. E. Advance Level Examinations can avail themselves of these scholarships.

The President symbolically handed over the scholarships to the children and the computers to the Development Officers representing the Divisional Secretariats.

Pr i m e Mi n i s t e r Ra n i l Wickremesinghe, Minister of Foreign Employment Thalatha Athukorala, Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara and the Chairman of the Foreign Employment Bureau R. K. Obesekara also participated in this event.