LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s father, Velupillai Tiruvenkadam has drawn a monthly pension of Rs. 16,865.63 until his detention last July, a top official of the Pensions Department said yesterday (5).
At a news briefing at the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry, Director K.A. Tilakaratne revealed that Mr. Tiruvenkadam had worked in the Department of Railways and Land Reforms Commission prior to his retirement in 1983 had served in Thunukkai as a Land Officer.
He said the department had found that in some instances the payments were not channelled for the benefit of the disabled as the payments were made to the next of kin. Very often the person who drew the pension used the monies for other purposes.
Mr. Tilakaratne said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister, Sarath Amunugama had obtained Cabinet approval to amend the Widows and Orphans’ Pensions Act so that more facilities could be provided to the pensioners.
(Courtesy: Daily Mirror)
