Sri Lanka ends parliamentary pensions to prune perks for politicians
Parliament voted 154-2 to abolish pensions that required just 5 years of service.
Deep Dive
The Sri Lankan government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has abolished the Parliamentary Pensions Act. The 225-member legislature voted 154-2 to immediately end pensions for MPs and their widows, which previously required only 5 years of service versus 10 for other state employees. This follows recent cuts to housing, vehicles, and bodyguards for former presidents, fulfilling a pledge to reduce political perks.
Why It Matters
Signals a major shift in political accountability and fiscal austerity in a nation recovering from economic crisis.