Speaking to 'Sri Lanka Mirror', he said that those who had engaged in the protest demonstration were those who had opted to leave the service after suffering an injury during operations.

"If the other rankers have put up a service of 12 years or over 10 years in the case of a commissioned officer, they are entitled to their salary along with the increments enjoyed by their peers as well as their disability pension until the age of 55," he said.

"The former military personnel who had engaged in the recent protest demonstration had not completed the above mentioned period of service," he added.

However, President Maithripala Sirisena had gave a very clear direction that a lifelong disability pension should be granted and these service personnel too, should be entitled to it, he further said.

"A Private obtaining these perks would obtain around Rs. 55,000 - 65,000 each month," the Army Commander said.

Cabinet approval
Not stopping there, the President also secured the the Cabinet approval for this, the Army commander said.

The protest was held even when we were working towards this, and clearing ground for necessary regulations to legalise this measure, he added.

Discussions
The Army Commander said that a group included himself, the Finance Secretary and the Defence Secretary took up the issue a day before the protest demonstration.

Noting that three options were raised on how to grant the service pension to these service personnel, it was agreed to be provided as a monetary increment.

JO behind protest?
Meanwhile, 'Sri Lanka Mirror' learns Intelligence Units have found out that a group belonging to the Joint Opposition has had a hand in the above mentioned protest demonstration, deluding the service personnel.

It is also said that the protest demonstration was organised with the intention of making these service personnel join the Joint Opposition's protest march to Colombo.