Parliamentary Pensions Law

Parliamentary Pensions Law A LAW TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PENSION SCHEME FOR MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED THE LEGISLATURE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD AND TO PROVIDE FOR ALL MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO. BE it enacted by the National State Assembly of the Republic of Sri Lanka as follows: – Short title. 1. This Law may be cited as the Parliamentary Pensions Law, No, 1 of 1977, Establishment of pension scheme. 2. There shall be established a non-contributory pension scheme (hereinafter referred to as ” the pension scheme “) for the grant of pensions to persons who have ceased to be Members of the Legislature. Application of Law. 3. Any person who has served as a Member of the Legislature of Sri Lanka after July 7, 1931, and who is a citizen of Sri Lanka at the time of coming into operation of this Law, shall, subject as hereinafter provided, be entitled to a pension under this Law. Period of service in the Legislature. 4. Any person who has served as a Member of the Legislature for a minimum period of five years in the aggregate shall be entitled to monthly payment of a pension amounting to one-third of the substantive monthly allowance currently payable to a Member of the National State Assembly and a maximum of two-thirds of such substantive monthly allowance if he has served an aggregate period of fifteen years or more as such Member: Provided that any person who has served as a Member of the Legislature for a period of more than five years but less than fifteen years shall receive a monthly proportionate pension determined in accordance with a table of payment to be prepared by the Speaker with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance. When pensions shall he paid. 5. Any pension payable under this Law shall be paid only after the person entitled to such payment has ceased-to be a Member of the Legislature: Provided that such pension shall be payable only during the lifetime of such person and shall cease to be payable upon his death. Effect of re-election. 6. Where any person who is in receipt of a pension paid under this Law is re-elected to the Legislature, such person shall not receive such pension from the date of his re-election until such time as he ceases to be a Member of the Legislature. Exclusion of certain periods in the computation of pension 7. Where a Member of any Legislature vacates his seat in such Legislature under any written law for the time being in force, other than by resignation of the dissolution of such Legislature, the period of his service as a Member in such Legislature from the date of his election to such Legislature up to the date of such vacation shall not be taken into account for the purpose of the computation of any pension under this Law. Payment not to be assigned or levied on. 8. No pension payable under this Law shall be assigned or transferred and any such assignment or transfer shall be absolutely null and void and of no effect. No such pension shall be attached or levied upon or sequestered or taken in execution on account of any debt or payment due by the person to whom such pension is payable. Life certificate to be furnished. 9. No payment of pension shall be made to any person so entitled unless there is furnished to the Clerk to the National State Assembly a certificate that such member to whom the payment is due, is alive at the time of payment. Administration of the scheme. 10. The Clerk to the National State Assembly shall in consultation with the Speaker manage the affairs connected with the pension scheme and all payments of pension shall be authorized by him out of funds sanctioned for the purpose by the National State Assembly under the Votes of the National State Assembly. Payment from Consolidated Fund. 11. The pension payable under this Law shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund. Rules. 12. The Speaker may, with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance, make rules under this Law for the management of the pension scheme. Interpretation 13. In this Law, unless the context otherwise requires- ” Member of the Legislature ” means a person who has been elected as a Member of- (a) the State Council established under the Ceylon (State Council) Order in Council,’ 1931; or (b) the House of Representatives established under the Ceylon (Constitution) Order-in-Council, 1946, and includes a member of the first National State Assembly who was an elected member of the said House of Representatives; or (c) the National State Assembly established under the Constitution of Sri Lanka.