Pension Department goes online

Tuesday, 11 October 2016 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Making the pension application process more user-friendly, the Pensions Department has launched an automated system to apply for pension with effect from yesterday.

According to a circular issued by Pensions Department Director General Jagath Dias, pension application forms will now only be accepted through the Pensions Department website, www.pensions.gov.lk.

Any individual who wishes to submit an application should first visit the website and follow the link titled ‘Pension Management System’ to access the application form.

The circular has requested all Government institutions and officials who expect to use this system to issue pensions to register with the department prior to doing so.

The online system will allocate pensioners their designated pension numbers and will also offer an option to receive SMS alerts for the automated system.

According to the circular, all applications submitted to the department from yesterday will be processed by the system while those submitted before would not be included in the online system.

To ensure clarity and help retired state workers better understand the system, the department has also created video demonstrations on how to apply online. The videos can be accessed at www.sathkara.pension.gov.lk/guidelines.

The department also carried out awareness programs on the new system for public servants employed at provincial authorities. Special attention was paid to helping applicants avoid mistakes as at present the department returns about 60% of nearly 2,000 applications received monthly due to errors in the applications.

However, the department expects to minimise such issues with the new system.