The police used tear gas and water cannon against disabled tri-forces and police personnel in Colombo on Monday, in an attempt to block them from marching to the Presidential Secretariat Office.
The differently abled War Heroes were protesting demanding pension benefits for disabled veterans who have not completed 12 years of service. They have as well as launched a fast unto death in front of the Fort Railway Station over the issue.
Hundreds of abled tri-forces and police personnel are engaged in the protest since last week. Earlier, three former soldiers in the fasting protest were also admitted to the Colombo National hospital on 3 November.
However, as at present, President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the relevant officials to take steps to provide pension benefits to the differently abled War Heroes who volunteered to retire prematurely due to medical reasons.
UPDATE: The Government has agreed to pay Service Pension to disabled soldiers from February 2017, Ada Derana reporter says. Disabled tri-forces and police personnel have also agreed to call of the protest.
