In a landmark decision, Parliament yesterday (17) passed the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, effectively abolishing pensions for Members of Parliament.

The Bill, presented on 7 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration, Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara, was previously challenged in the Supreme Court over concerns of constitutionality. The Court, however, ruled that the Bill does not conflict with the Constitution and may be enacted with a simple majority.

During yesterday’s session, Parliament debated the second reading of the Bill, followed by a vote in which 154 MPs supported the measure and only two opposed. 

During the Committee Stage that followed, MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake proposed amendments to Section 3 of the Bill. The Minister of Justice and National Integration informed the House that the amendments would not be accepted. Thereafter, MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake requested a division on his proposed amendment. At the vote, 152 votes were cast in favour of passing Section 3 without amendment, while 4 votes were cast in favour of the proposed amendment.

MP Karunanayake also proposed an amendment to Section 4 of the Bill. The Minister informed the House that this amendment too would not be accepted. The Bill was subsequently passed without amendments following the Third Reading.

The Bill later received the endorsement of Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly, it will come into force as the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Act, No. 5 of 2026.

This Act repeals the Parliamentary Pensions Law, No. 1 of 1977. In terms of Section 3 of the new Act, any person who is entitled to receive a pension or is in receipt of a pension under the provisions preceding the date of commencement of this Act, shall, on and after the date of commencement of this Act, cease to receive such pension.