President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament today (21) that he has given a letter to Parliament to remove MP pension.
Expressing further views, the President said that a bill to remove MP pensions will be brought to Parliament in the future and steps will be taken to amend the Presidential Privileges Act.
“We only know some of them now. When I become President, I will receive a pension. That means that in addition to the presidential salary, I will also receive the MP’s pension. I gave a letter today that I do not want the MP’s pension. Actually, I did not know that I would receive it, but I found out later that I would receive it. That is why I gave a letter to Parliament that I do not want the pension.
Also, when an MP becomes a minister, he will receive the MP’s salary and the ministerial salary. We have decided that ministers and deputy ministers will only receive the MP’s salary. However, ministers will receive a fuel allowance in addition to the MP’s salary. Also, the MP’s pension will be abolished. The Presidential Privileges Act will also be amended,” the President further said.