Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party, MP Ravi Karunanayake, has announced plans to submit a private member’s motion to Parliament seeking the complete abolition of the Rs. 250,000 insurance cover provided to MPs.
Speaking to the media, Karunanayake criticized the government’s decision to reduce the existing Rs. 1 million insurance cover to Rs. 250,000, arguing that such coverage is unnecessary. He emphasized that cutting this expense would help strengthen public relief programs by reducing state expenditure. The funds saved, he suggested, could be redirected to meet the 15% interest benefit demanded by senior citizens.
The MP also called on the government to implement his earlier proposal to abolish MPs’ pensions, stating that the current system fosters public resentment and portrays parliamentarians as beggars.
