Srilanka, Jan. 28 -- In the wake of debate on the proposed curtailment of perks and privileges of former Heads of State, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila added to further controversy in this regard when he said their pensions could not be reduced or scrapped according to the Constitution and universal legal principles.

Delivering remarks to the press, he said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would find it impossible to scrap or prune pension benefits, despite it being mentioned in the manifesto of the National People's Power (NPP).

"It means no one with a fair share of legal knowledge appeared to have served in the committee that drafted the NPP manifesto," he said.

He quoted Article 36 (2) of the Constitution, w...