Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Saturday, 24 January 2026 05:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya |
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging him to reconsider the proposed abolition of pensions for Members of Parliament, warning that such a move could have far-reaching consequences for democratic representation in Sri Lanka.
In a letter sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Jayasuriya reflected on the country’s political evolution since independence.
He noted that in the early years after 1948, politics was largely dominated by an educated and affluent elite, but a significant social transformation after 1956 opened the doors of Parliament to ordinary citizens and individuals from modest backgrounds.
Jayasuriya cautioned that abolishing parliamentary pensions under current circumstances could reverse these gains. He warned that politics could once again become the preserve of the wealthy, business interests, those who accumulate money through illicit means, and well-funded political parties, thereby discouraging honest social workers and capable individuals without financial backing from entering public life.
He further observed that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, channel their pensions towards social and charitable activities, the majority of former parliamentarians rely on the pension as their primary source of income after leaving office.
Against this backdrop, Jayasuriya urged the President to give due consideration to the issue and take appropriate action, particularly as the Government moves toward drafting a new Constitution in the future. He emphasised that decisions taken now would shape the inclusiveness and integrity of Sri Lanka’s political system for generations to come.
