The Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Fund (W&OP) Amendment Bill passed in Parliament unanimously yesterday (21 July).

According to the new Act, widows of public servants and members of the armed service would receive half of their late husband’s pension even if they married again, and the children of the first marriage would also get a portion of the pension.

Prior to the new Act, they would lose their pensions entitled to them under the provisions of the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund if they remarried.

The opposition, UNP and the TNA praised the government for introducing this new Bill.