Petitions Filed in Supreme Court Against Bill to Abolish MPs’ Pensions

22-Jan-2026

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Two petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of a bill presented to Parliament by the government seeking to abolish the pensions of Members of Parliament.

One petition was filed by former MPs M.M. Premasiri, Navarathna Banda, B.M. Deepal Gunasekara, and Samansiri Herath, who served in Parliament from 2004 to 2010. The other petition was filed by Piyasoma Upali and Upali Amaraseeri, who served as MPs between 1988 and 2004. The Attorney General has been named as the respondent in both cases.

Filed on the advice of Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardena, the petitions argue that under Section 108(2) of the National State Assembly Act No. 7 of 1977, MPs who complete five years of service are entitled 

to a pension. They further note that legislation enacted in 1979, 1982, and 1985 confirmed pension rights and survivor benefits for spouses.

The petitioners stated that after dedicating approximately 35 years to public service, they currently receive pensions ranging from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 80,000, which they say is insufficient to cover daily expenses and medical needs.

They argued that political service involves significant risk, citing the assassinations of leaders such as S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake, C.V. Gunaratne, and Lakshman Kadirgamar.

The petitioners also informed the court that a committee appointed by the government, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chithrasiri, had advised that pensions already being received cannot be revoked retrospectively.

They accused the government of presenting the bill with the intention of political retaliation, arguing that it violates constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights. Accordingly, they requested the Supreme Court to rule that the bill requires a special parliamentary majority and approval through a public referendum to be enacted.