The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has approved the Bill seeking to abolish pension benefits for Members of Parliament.

Committee Chair and MP Najith Indika stated that the Bill was unanimously approved during the committee meeting.

Speaking on the matter, Committee Chair and MP Najith Indika said the proposal was in line with a key pledge made in the policy statement of the present government.

“The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection unanimously approved the Bill to abolish parliamentary pensions. One of the proposals we presented in our policy statement was to abolish the pension granted to MPs after serving a few years in Parliament,” he said.

He further noted that the new Bill would repeal the Parliamentary Pensions Act No. 1 of 1977. Once the legislation is passed in Parliament next week, Members of Parliament will no longer be entitled to a pension.

“After this, parliamentary service will be carried out purely as a public service. We believe this is a very important step in terms of political culture and in fulfilling the promises we made ahead of the election. Through measures like this, we are demonstrating clearly the direction in which we are moving and how we intend to move forward,” MP Indika added.