The president of Sri Lanka has increased the salaries of public servants and pensioners with effect from October 2001. This is a seeni-bola prior to the forthcoming general elections.

Let me spotlight my personal case. I am a retired chief station master, Railway. I retired on 08-06-1984 on the maximum salary scale applicable to the grade.

I am now drawing a monthly pension of Rs. 4793/-, which is hardly sufficient to meet even my food-bill.

The election manifesto of 1994 promised a salary increase to public servants and pensioners. Two commissioners were appointed by Wanasingha and B. C. Perera Commissions. What happened to their recommendations? It is now over 17 years.

My junior colleagues who retired after 1988 are drawing much bigger pensions. Whose fault is this?

I therefore appeal to the pre-1988 pensioners especially not to be misguided by the pension hike on the eve of the general elections.

I pray that a progressive party will come to power to save mother Lanka from the present abyss.
Jinadasa Wickremasuriya
Gampola