| |
| Social Security Board |
| |
|
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PENSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT SCHEME FOR SELF EMPLOYED PERSONS ; AND TO PROVIDE FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO.
|
|
|
| |
|
BE it enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as follows :-
|
|
| Act Nos, |
| 17 of 1996 |
|
| 33 of 1999 |
|
|
[26th July
, 1996 ]
|
|
Short title.
|
1. This Act may be cited as the Sri Lanka Social Security Board Act, No. 17 of 1996 and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may appoint by Order published in the Gazette (hereinafter referred to as ” the appointed date”).
|
|
| |
|
ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD |
|
|
Establishment of the Sri Lanka Social Security Board.
|
2.
|
(1) There shall be established a body called the Sri Lanka Social Security Board (hereinafter referred to as ” the Board”) consisting of the persons appointed under section 3.
|
|
(2) The Board shall, by the name assigned to it by subsection (1), be a body corporate and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in such name.
|
|
|
|
3.
|
(1) The Board shall consist of seven directors appointed by the Minister, case of whom shall be a representative of the Treasury.
|
|
(2) The Minister shall appoint one of the Directors as the Chairman of the Board, and may appoint another Director to be a working Director of the Board.
|
|
(3) The provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect in relations to the terms of office of the Directors and the remuneration payable to Directors, meetings of the Board, and the seal of the Board.
|
|
|
|
4. Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the enactment, functions of the Board shall be to establish a Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme (hereinafter referred to as “the Scheme”) for self employed persons other than those in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, and to administer and manage such scheme with the following objectives in view :
|
(a) to provide social security to self employed persons during their old age and on disability ;
|
|
(b) to provide relief to the dependants of self employed persons, upon death .
|
|
(c) to encourage self employed persons to continue in their respective occupations and to develop their capabilities and skills ;
|
|
(d) to encourage youth to be self employed and to develop their capabilities and skills ;
|
|
(e) to educate self employed persons on the benefits of thrift and resource management ; and
|
|
(f) to improve the living standards of self employed persons generally,
|
|
|
|
5. For the purpose of discharging its functions, the Board shall have the power to-
|
(a) acquire, hold, take on lease or hire, mortgage sell or otherwise dispose of, any movable or immovable property ;
|
|
(b) enter into, and perform, either directly or through any officer or agent authorized in that behalf, all such contracts as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions ;
|
|
(c) make rules in relation to its officers and servants, including their appointment, promotion, remuneration, disciplinary control and grant of leave to them ;
|
|
(d) administer and manage the Scheme ;
|
|
(e) maintain the required actuarial financial and operational reports in respect of the Scheme ;
|
|
(f) determine the benefits to be paid to any Contributor Under the Scheme ;
|
|
(ff) collaborate with state institutions or nongovernmental organizations discharging functions similar to the functions of the Board ;
|
|
(g) do all such other things as in the opinion of the Board, are necessary for the proper discharge of its functions as or for the administration and implementation of the Scheme.
|
|
|
Application of Act.
|
6. The Minister may, from time to time, having regard to the feasibility of administering the scheme and the occupational risks involved in occupations carried on by self-employed persons, determine by Order published in the Gazette the categories of self-employed persons who shall be entitled to contribute to the Scheme, Any self-employed person who falls into a category of self employed persons specified in an order made under this section is hereinafter person to whom this Act applies”.
|
Technical Advisory Committee.
|
6A.
|
(1) The Minister shall appoint a Technical Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) consisting of not more than nine persons, from among persons who, in the opinion of the Minister have had experience, or shown capacity, in the fields of social security, social welfare, insurance, actuarial evaluation, administration, finance or management.
|
|
(2) The Chairman of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Committee.
|
|
(3) The functions of the Committee shall be-
|
(a) to advise the Board on such matters relating to the administration and management of the scheme as may, from time to time, be referred to it by the Board ;
|
|
(b) to advise the Board on any matter the Committee deems necessary or conducive to the attainment of the objectives towards the attainment of which the scheme is being administered and managed ; and
|
|
(c) to advise the Board with regard to the making of rules by the Board.
|
|
|
(4) The members of the Committee may be paid such remuneration as may be determined by the Board, subject to the approval of the Minister, from the Fund of the Board. ‘.
|
|
|
| |
|
PENSION AND SOClAL SECURITY BENEFIT SCHEME FOR SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS. |
|
|
Eligibility to join the Scheme.
|
7. Any person to whom this Act applies who has the prescribed qualifications and is not less than eighteen years of age and not more, than fifty-nine years of age
|
|
Benefits under the Scheme.
|
8.
|
(1) A person to whom this Act applies who joins the scheme (hereinafter referred to as the “Contributor”) shall be entitled to the following benefits under the scheme on such basis as may be prescribed-
|
(a) a periodical pension of a prescribed amount ;
|
|
(b) in cases of permanent partial disablement, a lump sum gratuity or if be continues to pay bus contributions after disablement, a jump sum gratuity and a pension when it becomes due ;
|
|
(c) in cases of permanent total disablement, a lump sum gratuity or a periodical allowance of a prescribed amount ;
|
|
|
(2) The basis of paying a pension, allowance or gratuity shall be prescribed taking into consideration, inter-alia, the period of contribution, the age of the contributor and the amount of contributions made by the contributor.
|
|
|
|
9.
|
(1) A contributor shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (1A) be entitled to a pension on reaching the age of sixty years. A Contributor who commences to contribute after reaching the age of fifty five years shall however be entitled to a pension only after paying his entire contribution as may be prescribed and at the end of five years from the date of his joining the Scheme.
|
|
(1A) A contributor who is certified, by a Medical Practitioner registered under the Medical Ordinance, to be mentally retarded and who has commenced to contribute to the Fund before reaching the age of thirty five years shall be entitled to a pension on reaching the age of forty years.
|
|
(2) The pension shall be paid up to the end of the month in which the Contributor dies.
|
|
|
Rebates on contributions.
|
10. The Minister may with a view to encouraging persons to whom this Act applies to join the scheme prescribe either a rebate or a discount on the contribution to be paid by contributors.
|
|
Partial disablement.
|
11. Any Contributor who becomes permanently and partially disabled before he becomes entitled to receive his pension, shall receive a lump sum gratuity calculated on the prescribed basis and may either leave the scheme or receive the pension when it becomes due.
|
|
Total disablement.
|
12. Any Contributor was becomes permanently and totally disabled before be becomes entitled to receive his pension shall at his option receive a lump sum gratuity calculated on the prescribed basis and leave the Scheme or receive a periodical allowance calculated on the prescribed basis, and remain in the Scheme Without paying any further contributions.
|
|
|
13. In the event of the death of a Contributor before he becomes entitled to receive his pension, a death gratuity calculated on such basis as may be prescribed shall be paid to such person or persons as may have been nominated by him in the prescribed form and deposited with the Board, and in lieu of such nomination, he paid to his surviving spouse and legitimate children or to his immediate relatives by blood in such proportions and in such order of priority as is specified in the Second Schedule to this Act.
|
|
Board to issue policy to each contributor.
|
14. The Board shall on the enrolment of any person as a Contributor to the Scheme issue him with a policy setting out the contributions to be made by him, the terms and conditions of the policy and the benefits to which he is entitled under the policy issued to him.
|
|
Forfource of Policy.
|
15.
|
(1) The date before which contributions are payable by a Contributor shall be specified in the policy and any contributor who fails to pay ten installments shall forfeit the benefits under the policy issued to him.
|
|
(2) Where any Contributor has forfeited the benefits under the policy issued to him, the Board shall issue such Contributor a notice to that effect.
|
|
(3) A Contributor shall have the right to appeal to the Board to validate his policy and the Board shall validate the policy if it is satisfied that the reasons for failure to pay the installments were beyond the control of the Contributor.
|
|
(4) Where the Board decides to validate a policy the Contributor shall be informed of the date before which the arrears of installments have to be paid. The date of such payment shall be the date of validation of the policy.
|
|
(5) Any Contributor aggrieved by the decision of the Board shall have the right of appeal to the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister whose decision thereon shall be final and conclusive.
|
|
|
Board to determine award.
|
16. The award of benefits under the scheme to any contributor shall be determined by the Board in accordance with the scheme and regulations made to give effect to the scheme.
|
|
Inspection of premises.
|
17. Any officer of the Board specially authorized in that behalf by the Chairman may, during any time of the day enter and inspect any premises or place of employment to ascertain the veracity of any particulars furnished by any Contributor with regard to his eligibility to be enrolled or to continue, as a Contributor to the Scheme.
|
|
Appeal.
|
18.
|
(1) Any Contributor who is dissatisfied with the award of any benefit determined by the Board may within thirty days of receiving the notice of such award make an appeal to the Secretary of the Ministry of the Minister stating the grounds of his appeal.
|
|
(2) The decision of the Secretary of the Ministry on any such appeal shall be final.
|
|
|
Pension, gratuity or allowance not to be levied upon.
|
19. No pension, gratuity or allowance payable from the Scheme shall be assigned or transferred and every such assignment or transfer shall be absolutely null and void and of no effect. No such pension or gratuity or allowance shall be attached or taken in execution on account of any debt or payment due from the person to whom such pension or gratuity or allowance is payable.
|
|
|
Appointment of officers and servant of the Board.
|
20.
|
(1) The Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Board.
|
|
(2) The Board shall have the power to appoint such number of officers, agents and servants as it considers necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions and the administration and implementation of the Scheme and to exercise disciplinary control over and dismiss any officer, agent or servant so appointed.
|
|
(3) The officers, servants and agents appointed under subsection (l) shall be remunerated in such manner and at such rates and shall be subject to such conditions of service as may be determined by the Board.
|
|
(4) At the request of the Board any public officer may, with the consent of that officer and the secretary to the Ministry of the Minister in charge of the subject of public Administration, be temporarily appointed to the staff of the Board for such period as may be determined by the Board with like consent or be permanently appointed to such staff with like consent.
|
|
(5) Where any public officer is temporarily appointed to the staff of the Board the provisions of subsection (2) of section 14 of the National Transport Commission Act, No. 37 of 1991, shall, mutandis apply to, and in relation to him.
|
|
(6) where any public officer is temporarily appointed to the staff of the Board the provisions of subsection (3) of section 14 of the National Transport Commission Act No. 37 of 1991,shall, mutandis, apply to in and relation to, him.
|
|
(7) Where the Board employs any person who has agreed to serve the Government for a specified period, any period of service to the Government for the purpose of discharging the obligations of that person under such agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
21.
|
(1) The Board shall have its own Fund (here in after referred to as “the fund”).
|
|
(2) There shall be paid into the Fund-
|
(a) all such sums of money so may be voted from time to time by parliament for the implementation of the scheme ;
|
|
(b) all sums of money paid as contributions to the scheme by contributors ;
|
|
(c) all sums of money received from any source, are gifts and donations, to the Fund ;
|
|
(cc) all such sums of money as may be transferred to the Board by any Government department, or public corporation ; and
|
|
(d) all sums of money earned as interest or profits from the investments of the Board ;
|
|
(e) all sums of money received by the Board , in the exercise, discharge and performance, of its powers, duties and functions under this Act.
|
|
|
(3) There shall be paid out of the Fund, all sums of money required to defray expenditure incurred by the Board in the exercise, discharge, and performance, of its powers, duties and functions, under this Act, and all sums of money required to be paid out of the Fund, by or under this Act.
|
|
(4) The initial capital of the Board shall be one hundred million rupees which may be increased faun time to time, by such amounts as may be authorised by an Appropriation Act or by resolution of Parliament. The amount of such capital shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund in such instalments as the Minister in charge of the subject of finance may, in consultation with the Minister determine, and such sums shall be credited to the Fund.
|
|
(5) From and after the inclusion of the Board under section 8 of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 28 of 1979, the profits and income of the Board shall be exempt from income tax.
|
|
|
Investment of Monies.
|
22. All monies in the Fund which are not immediately required by the Board may be invested by the Board in such a manner and in such securities as may be authorized by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.
|
|
Borrowing powers.
|
23.
|
(1) The Board may, with the concurrence of the Minister and the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance or in accordance with the terms of any general authority given with like concurrence, borrow, by way of overdraft or otherwise, or negotiable and obtain on credit, such sums as the Board may require for meeting the obligations of the Board may require for meeting the obligations of the Board and for administering and implementing the scheme :
|
|
Provided that the aggregate of the amounts outstanding in respect of loans raised by the Board under this subsection shall not at any time, exceed such sums as may be determined by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.
|
|
(2) The Board may, with the consent of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance, borrow money otherwise than by way of loans under subsection (1) for all or any of the following purpose :-
|
(a) the requisition or acquisition of any movable or immovable property required for the use of the Board,
|
|
(b) the repayment of any money borrowed under subsection (1).
|
|
|
|
Financial year and Audit of Accounts of the Board.
|
24.
|
(1) The financial year of the Board shall be the calendar year.
|
|
(2) The Board shall cause proper books of accounts to be kept of the income and expenditure, assets and liabilities and all other transactions of the Board.
|
|
(3) The provisions of Article 154 of the constitution relating to the audit of accounts of public corporation shall apply to the audit of the accounts of the Board.
|
|
|
Application of Inland Revenue Act, No. 28 of 1979 to the Board.
|
25. The Fund shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 31 of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 28 of 1979, to be a fund established by the Government of Sri Lanka.
|
|
Application of Act No. 38 of 1971.
|
26. For the avoidance of doubts, it is hereby declared that the provisions of the Finance Act, No. 38 of 1971 shall apply to the Board.
|
|
|
Directors officers and servants of the Board to be public officers.
|
27. All Directors, officers and servants of the Board shall be deemed to be Public Officers within the meaning and for purposes of the Penal Code.
|
|
Board deemed to be a scheduled institution within the meaning of the Bribery Act.
|
28. The Board shall be deemed to be a scheduled institution within the meaning of the Bribery Act and the provisions of that Act shall be construed accordingly.
|
Power of Minister to give directions.
|
28A.
|
(1) The Minister may give the Board general directions as to the exercise of the powers and discharge of the functions, of the Board, and it shall be the duty of the Board to give effect to every such direction.
|
|
(2) The Minister may direct the Board, in writing, to furnish him with such information with respect to the discharge of the functions of the Board as may be specified in such writing and it shall be the duty of the Board to give effect to every such direction’.
|
|
|
Delegation of powers and duties.
|
29.
|
(1) The Board may delegate to the Chairman, a Director, or an officer or servant of the Board any of its powers and duties.
|
|
(2) Every person to whom any power or duty is delegated under subsection (1) shall exercise or perform such power or duty subject to the general or special directions of the Board.
|
|
|
Protection for action taken under this Act or on the direction of the Board.
|
30.
|
(1) No suit or prosecution shall lie-
|
(a) against the Board for any act which in good faith is done or is purported to be done by the Board under this Act. or.
|
|
(b) against any Director, officer, servant or agent of the Board for any act which in ‘good faith is done or is purported to be done by him under this Act or on the direction of the Board.
|
|
|
(2) Any expense incurred by the Board in any suit or prosecution brought by or against the board before any Court shall be paid out of the Fund and any costs paid to, or recovered by the board in any such suit shall be credited to such Fund.
|
|
(3) Any expenses incurred by any such person as is referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) in any suit or prosecution brought against him before any court in respect of any act which is done, or purported to be done, by him under this Act or on the direction of the Board shall, if the court holds that such act was done in good faith, be paid out of the Fund unless such expense is recovered by him in such proceedings.
|
|
|
Regulations.
|
31.
|
(1)The Minister may make regulations in respect of all matters in respect of which regulations are authorized or required by this Act to be made, including-
|
(a) the regulation, administration and management of the scheme ;
|
|
(b) qualifications entitling a person to whom this Act applies to join the scheme ;
|
|
(c) the conditions on which, and the restrictions subject to which a person to whom this Act applies shall be entitled to join the scheme ;
|
|
(d) the determination of the amount of the contribution to be made by contributors ;
|
|
(e) the determination of the basis on which pensions, gratuities or allowances are payable to contribution under the scheme ;
|
|
(f) conditions governing the default of payment of contributions, by contributors, surrender of policy and loss of eligibility of a contributor ;
|
|
(g) the procedure for the transaction of business by the Board ;
|
|
(h) the termination or fasiciteare of a policy, issued under this Act,
|
|
(i) the basis of determining partial and total disablement of a contributor.
|
|
|
(2) Every regulation made by the Minister shall be published in the Gazette and shall come into operation on the date of such publication or on such later date as may be specified therein.
|
|
(3) Every regulation made by the Minister shall as soon as convenient after its publication in the Gazette, be brought before parliament for approval. Every regulation which is not so approved shall be deemed to be rescinded as from the date of such disapproval but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done there under.
|
|
(4) Notification of the date on which any regulation is so deemed to be rescinded shall be published in the gazette.
|
|
|
Sinhala text to prevail incase of inconsistency.
|
32. In the event of any inconsistency between the Sinhala and Tamil texts of this Act, the Sinhala text shall prevail.
|
|
Interpretation.
|
33. In this Act unless the context otherwise requires-
|
|
“chairman” means the chairman of the Board appointed under subsection (2) of section 3 ;
|
|
“Director” means a Director appointed under subsection (1) of section 3 ;
|
|
“local authority” means a Municipal council, Urban Council of Pradeshiya sabha and includes any Authority created or established by or under any law to exercise, perform and discharge, powers, duties and functions corresponding to or similar to the powers duties and functions exercised, performed and discharged by any such council or sabha ;
|
|
“Prescribed” means prescribed by regulation made under this Act ;
|
|
“Provincial council” means a provincial council established under chapter XVIIA of the constitution
|
|
|
| |
