President orders lifetime pension for differently-abled and fallen soldiers' families

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed officials that the pension for differently abled soldiers along with the wives and dependants of fallen soldiers be paid throughout their lifetime.

Addressing a special meeting that was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (Jan 25), the President had declared that the necessary measures to pay the pension in the said manner would be taken within the next two months.

Earlier, the pension was paid until a differently abled soldier, his wife, or his dependants reached the age of 55.

President Sirisena addressing the meeting had also taken swift measures to act upon eight requests that were put forward by differently abled soldiers.

Issuing a press release, the President's Media Division said that the soldiers had appreciated the President's efforts in identifying their needs and problems.

Senior officers of the tri-forces, personal secretary to the Defence Minister Sanath Weerasuriya, senior additional secretaries to the Defence Ministry Anuradha Wijekoon and Vijitha Mayadunne attended the meeting.