Police in Sri Lanka on Monday used tear gas and water cannons on dozens of disabled ex-soldiers trying to break into the president’s office to demand a pension scheme, officials said on Monday.
Reports say some of the former soldiers were without limbs or eyesight after being injured in the country’s long war against Tamil rebels.
The former soldiers were supported by civil society members and Buddhist monks, who say that the government has failed to take care of them.
The ex-soldiers had to end their military service before completing their minimum service period of 12 years and have been demanding the same benefits offered to soldiers who have completed the minimum period.
Monday’s attempt to enter the president’s office came after they undertook a week-long hunger strike in the capital.
Officials said their veterans’ representatives have been given an opportunity to meet Defense Ministry officials in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
Some 27,000 soldiers were disabled during the conflict. (NAN)
