1-(ii) The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra facilitates to draw the Sri Lankan Pensions of Retired Sri Lankan Government Employees who are living in Australia and New Zealand.

1-(iii) The most recent circular applicable for the Overseas Pensioners is 16/2009 dated 06.04.2010 as amended by 16/2009(extra), 16/2009(3) LG, 05/2011 circulars. These circulars are available on Department of Pension’s official web site www.pensions.gov.lk

1-(iv) There are three options to draw pensions while living in a foreign country. These are;

(a) Through the Embassy/High Commission of Sri Lanka in the respective country where the pensioner is residing.

(b) Through a Approved Special Bank Account in Sri Lanka.

(c) Pensioners who are travelling for a short periods, could continue to receive their pensions via Divisional Secretariats in Sri Lanka by providing a Life Certificate whilst abroad to the bank where they draw pension and the relevant Divisional Secretariat with prior approval obtained for such payments form the Department of Pensions.

1-(v) According to the latest revision issued by circular No 05/2011, the Department of Pensions has decided;

(a) to limit pension payments through overseas missions.

(b) to pay pensions of those who are residing overseas through the special bank accounts as per the above para 1-(iv) (b).

Hence, the fresh requests to draw pensions through overseas missions will be considered for old aged pensioners who do not have Sri Lankan citizenship and connection with the country.

1-(vi) The monthly pension will be paid by this High Commission at the end of each month.

2. How to apply to receive pension in a Foreign Country

2-(i) As per the above circulars those pensioners who wish to receive their payments through the Sri Lanka Missions abroad is required to send a duly completed Data Entry Form through the respective overseas Mission to the Department of Pension in Sri Lanka. This Data Entry Form is available in the Pensions Department’s web site under the circular No 05/2011. Please download this circular and read carefully before filling the Data Entry Form. Applicants are kindly requested to attach all the documents required in para No 09 in the form to avoid unnecessary delays.

2-(ii) In case of a Widow, in addition to the requirements in para No 09 the following documents should be attached;

(a) Certified copy of Marriage Certificate

(b) Certified Copy of Death Certificate of the Pensioner

2-(iii) Applicant should place his/her signature before a person with good standing i.e Consul General/ Honorary Consuls for Sri Lanka, Government Officer, Doctor, Engineer, Accountant, Notary Public or Justice of the Peace etc.

2-(iv) All duly filled Data Entry Forms should be sent to this High Commission for submission to the Department Pensions in Sri Lankan for final approval.

3. Bank Account

3-(i) The bank account should be an individual account and not a joint account.

3-(ii) In terms of the provision of the Pensions Act, the pension can not be entrusted to any other person. Therefore, pensioners can not open accounts to credit pension payments to the names of persons who hold a power of attorney on behalf or any other relatives.

3-(iii) If any payments are made after death of the pensioner to the account, such payments are subject to refund to the Government of Sri Lanka. The Mission can take legal action (under the Australian law) on such person who continues to receive pensions in a fraudulent manner. Relatives of pensioner are expected to inform the Mission of the death of the Pensioner.

4. Life Certificate

4-(i) Life Certificates should be sent to the Mission once in three months (beginning of each quarter). It should be certified by a person of good standing i.e Consul General/ Honorary Consuls for Sri Lanka, Government Officer, Doctor, Engineer, Accountant, Notary Public or Justice of the Peace.

4-(ii) In case of a Widows’ pension, an affidavit stating that the pensioner has not re-married, should be submitted once a year together with the first Certified Life Certificate of the year to prove the marital status.

4-(iii) In case no Certified Life Certificate as per the above is received, pension payments will be suspended without any notice until the receipt of the Certified Life Certificate and a request to reinstate the payments. Arrears of such non payments will also be considered subject to circumstances of non receipts of Life Certificate.

4-(iv) In case of a death of a pensioner, the next of kin has the responsibility to inform about the death in writing to this High Commission as soon as possible and they can apply for Widows’ and Orphans pensions as applicable.

5. Contact Details

Sri Lanka High Commission

No 35, Empire Circuit

Forrest

ACT 2603

Australia

T.P : + 61 2 62397041/2

Fax: + 61 2 62396166

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Department of Pensions

Foreign Pension Branch

Maligawatte Secretariat

Maligawatte

Colombo 10

Sri Lanka

T.P : + 94 11 2386469

+ 94 11 2209870

Fax : + 94 11 2342078

+ 94 11 2386469

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