Desperate pensioners have only one wish now; early exit from this world

From the date of implementation of a two-tier system- one quite handsome for those who retired after 2006 and the other an abjectly lesser pension for those who retired before 2006, our appeal for remedial action hangs in the air.

This discrimination juxtaposed a situation wherein an administrative staffer of yesteryear receives a pension incommensurable with that of his peon who worked under him. This grievance has been acknowledged across the board by everyone, including the President.

Over the past years, this injustice and the concomitant financial hardships faced by pensioners, most of whom are already on their last legs have been brought to the attention of the powersthat-be in various forums, through deputations by various pensioner associations and by pensioners writing copious articles to the press.

One such writer, educationist S.A. Abeywickrema claimed that this was an exercise in futility for the pensioners however much cogency our claim has; without clout, either politically or organizationally, it would come a cropper. One couldn’t agree more.

Our cause manifestly known as vexa- tious and unjust, was not observed to be of any weight in the scales of justice. The deafening silence is not hard to perceive. They are well aware that ours is a timebound struggle and that it would run out of steam sooner rather than later.

The President himself, inviting us to Temple Trees on the eve of the last Presidential election promised in no uncertain terms that once the election was over he would look into this issue. Pensioners voted en bloc for him. However, after the victory, little notice was taken of our appeal.

Then there is the Minister of Public Adminstration under whose purview this matter falls. At every forum in which he meets pensioners, he makes contradictory statements.

This is the worst time for the pensioners. They have got caught in a cross current between the Government that has gone full steam ahead on the beautification of the country, while sidestepping other issues; and the delinquent bureaucracy who don’t care tuppence for our grievances.

Under the circumstances, for pensioners who face a life and death struggle, the only escape route is expecting and indeed, wishing for an early departure from this world. S. Udasiri Panadura