Sri Lanka will pay its state pensioners a total of Rs6,000 in October following opposition from the Elections Commission regarding an initial Rs3,000 increase planned for September, according to State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
Originally, the Cabinet had approved a Rs3,000 allowance for pensioners starting in September. However, with the upcoming elections on September 21, the Elections Commission raised concerns, leading to the postponement of the increase.
As a result, pensioners will receive the Rs3,000 allowance in October, along with arrears, totaling Rs6,000. Starting November, the pension will be incremented by Rs3,000.
Earlier this year, pensioners were granted a Rs2,500 allowance.
Many current pensioners served in government roles with modest salaries during challenging economic periods, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s when Sri Lanka faced severe currency and inflation issues. The economic turmoil and mismanagement of interest rates exacerbated difficulties for pensioners and the broader population.