Concerns over the recruitment of retired Sri Lankan war veterans for the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict were discussed at a meeting held on Friday (May 30) at the Ministry of Defence, chaired by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
Officials were instructed to collect accurate data on Sri Lankans reportedly injured, killed, or missing in the conflict, or are currently being held as prisoners of war by both sides and to explore financial support options such as a pension scheme or other financial assistance program for affected veterans based on the information obtained.
The meeting also addressed long-standing issues related to pensions and the Widows and Orphans Pension (W&OP) scheme, which were also raised during the Ministry’s Public Day Programme held on May 28 and 30.
Senior Defence Ministry officials, tri-forces representatives, the Director General of Pensions, and families of missing veterans and fallen heroes were in attendance. The Defence Secretary has directed swift action to resolve all concerns.
Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, arrested on allegation of corruption by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been remanded until July 1 by the Colombo Magistrate court.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Stabilization and NPP National List MP Harshana Suriyapperuma who is tipped to be named the next Finance Ministry Secretary resigned from Parliament today.
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