Pensions to be paid next week

• Presidential Task Force decides payments will be made 2-3 April, and 6 April
• Postal department to deliver pensions
• Arrangements to be made for pensioners to be escorted to banks by Police and military
• Public and commercial banks agree to keep branches open in all towns

The Presidential Task Force on Essential Services yesterday decided that pensions will be paid on 2 and 3 April and special arrangements will be made for the postal service to deliver pensions or for pensioners to be escorted to banks so they can withdraw funds.

Payments will be completed by 6 April, the task force decided during a meeting that was held at Temple Trees. Pensions can be obtained from the post office or will be deposited to individual bank accounts.

“Pensioners who receive their pensions through the Post Office will have their pensions delivered by the Department of Posts to their residences or the Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions. Those who receive their pensions through the respective bank accounts will have their bank accounts credited on 2 and 3 April,” the statement said.

For pensioners who rely on the post office, the postal service will deliver the pension to their homes on 2 and 3 April, or to their respective GN divisions.

Pensioners who need to withdraw their pension from bank accounts have to notify their Grama Niladharis in advance so arrangements can be made for the Police and military to escort them to the relevant bank branches during this period.

A process has been formulated to overcome the travel difficulties that pensioners who desire to withdraw money from their bank accounts would face due to the curfew. Pensioners who wish to withdraw money should give prior notice through the Grama Niladharis of their areas of residence, the Task Force said.

“The Government will provide transportation for these persons to the nearest bank and back to their villages of residence on 2 and 3 April. The Tri-Forces and the Police will provide the necessary transport facilities for this purpose while the assistance of the respective Grama Niladharis will also be obtained.

All State and commercial banks have agreed to keep at least one branch in each town open, the Task Force said in a statement.