COLOMBO – The Bill to abolish pension benefits for Members of Parliament was passed in Parliament today without any amendments.
The second reading debate on the Bill took place this morning, followed by a vote, in which it was approved with a majority of 152 votes. A total of 154 MPs voted in favour, while only 2 votes were cast against it.
The two opposing votes were from Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, MP of the New Democratic Front, and Chanaka Madugoda, MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
During the Committee Stage, an amendment was proposed to Clause 3, and a vote was taken. The amendment received 152 votes against, while 4 votes were cast in favour.
Accordingly, the Bill to abolish MP pensions was passed at the Committee Stage without amendments, with a majority of 148 votes.
The MPs who voted in favour of requiring amendments were Ravi Karunanayake, Faizer Mustapha, and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake of the New Democratic Front, along with Chanaka Madugoda of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
Notably, several MPs were absent during the vote, including SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa, SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka, the Opposition Leader, and MPs of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
With the Bill now passed, the pension benefits currently received by former MPs and their widows stand to be abolished. Over 550 former MPs and their dependents are currently known to receive these pension benefits.
