Imagine dedicating years of your life to public service, only to realize your hard-earned income was quietly funneled into your party's coffers. This is the shocking reality former JVP MP Pemasiri Manage is now fighting against. In a bold move, Manage is demanding the return of Rs. 6.8 million in salaries and allowances he claims were diverted to the JVP during his tenure as a public representative from 1997 to 2010. But here's where it gets controversial: Manage isn't alone. He alleges that at least 25 other ex-JVP members are in the same boat, their earnings allegedly siphoned off by the party.
Manage, who also serves as the Secretary of the Retired MPs’ Collective, revealed in an interview with The Daily Morning that his monthly salary and allowances, totaling around Rs. 250,000 during his time as an MP, were never paid to him directly. Instead, they were credited to the JVP’s fund. Even his government-issued vehicle permit as a Provincial Councillor was reportedly taken over by the party.
And this is the part most people miss: With the recent abolition of MPs’ pensions through the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, former representatives like Manage are left without a financial safety net. “If I had my Rs. 6.8 million, I could have lived on the interest,” Manage argued, highlighting the dire situation many ex-MPs now face. He insists the party should return the funds, especially now that their pensions have been scrapped.
Manage isn’t just talking—he’s taking action. He’s already consulted lawyers and plans to send a formal demand letter to the JVP. If the party doesn’t comply, he’s prepared to file a lawsuit. Other former JVP members are expected to follow suit, potentially sparking a wave of legal battles.
The Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, passed on Tuesday (17) with 154 votes in favor and only two against, has already stirred debate. The Supreme Court cleared its constitutionality, but its implications for former MPs like Manage are now under scrutiny.
Is it fair for political parties to retain their members’ salaries and allowances? And with pensions abolished, what responsibility do parties have toward their former representatives? These questions are bound to spark differing opinions. Share your thoughts in the comments—do you think Manage and others like him deserve their money back, or is this a justified practice within political parties?
Attempts to reach JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva for comment were unsuccessful, leaving the party’s stance on this issue unclear. As this story unfolds, one thing is certain: it’s not just about Rs. 6.8 million—it’s about accountability, fairness, and the financial security of those who once served the public.
