All Sri Lanka Government Pensioners’ Association Chairman A. K. Jayapala said that Government pensioners are grateful to the Government for deciding to pay them with an additional interim stipend of Rs. 3000 from September this year and nearly 700,000 Government pensioners who are facing financial difficulties welcome this decision.
Jayapala was addressing the gathering at the Annual General Meeting of Kurunegala District Government pensioners at the Youth Training Centre, Kurunegala yesterday. He said State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has said that Rs. 8.4 billion would be allocated for the purpose.
He said, “The country is moving forward with successful economic management and low- income sections of the people of the country can have a hope for a better tomorrow now.” “Despite political differences, all people should stand together as a nation to overcome economic challenges of the country for the sake of future generations and all responsible politicians and top Government authorities have to spend hard-earned public funds with frugality limiting to the essential needs of the day,” Jayapala said.
“No room should be left for anybody to misuse public funds and properties for their personal benefit and tough action has to be taken against errant authorities who intentionally misuse Government properties and public funds. Stringent laws have to be introduced to punish the criminals and drug dealers who are engaged in the narcotics business internationally ruining our younger generation,” he added.