Minister Ravi Karunanayake said at a press briefing at the Finance Ministry yesterday that this issue has been dragging for over 11 years and the previous government had promised to settle it. "However this too remained a broken promise," the minister said.

This government reviewed this issue along with top officers of the Pensions Department. Arrangements are now being made to pay this on August 10."

The total amount due to pensioners is more than Rs. 2 billion. The Treasury will release the money, he said. The minister said he has also requested the Pensions Department to minimise red tapes when making these payments since most recipients are seniors. Department of Pensions Director General S. S. Hettiarachchi said 352,000 pensioners will benefit from this.