Download - National Secretariat for Elders - ESCAP
Ministry of Social Empowerment
& WelfareSri lanka
National Secretariat for EldersSuvinda S. Singappuli
Director
Total Area 65610 sq Km
Land Area 62705 sq Km
Inland Water 2905 sq Km
SRI LANKA
COUNTRY WITH A PROUD HISTORY
Elderly Population in Sri Lanka
The elders population in Sri Lanka is rapidly increasing in line with the
increase of world elderly population. It is expected that the elderly
population in Sri Lanka will be 27.6% in year 2050 which was 9.3% in year
2000.
Introduction to the Ministry of
Social Empowerment and Welfare
This Ministry provides services to the vulnerable people such as low income
people, persons with all types of disabilities, senior citizens and single
parent families by ensuring with them equal rights in the society.
The National Secretariat for Elders was established under the Protection of the
Rights of Elders Act No 9 of 2000, and functioning under Ministry of Social
Empowerment and Welfare. It is the prime administrative body engaged in
implementing programmes approved by the Council for Elders.
National Policy for Elders
The National Policy was based on the
recommendations of the 2nd World assembly on Aging
held in Madrid
The National Charter and National Policy for Elders
has been adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers in the
Year of 2006.
The policy mainly focuses on:
- Health
- Social Welfare
- Economic support
Common Ageing Issues
� Participation in development
� Isolation in homes
� Low level of geriatric services
� Policy and legal provisions
� Political commitment
� Financial constraints
� Achieving the goals agreed upon in MIPA
Priority direction III: Ensuring enabling
and supportive environments
1. Housing and living environment
2. Care and caregivers
3. Abuse and violence
4. Common ageing issues
5. Suggestions to be considered
Housing and living environments
� Regulation of accessibility and safety measures have to be improved.
� Elders Identity card holder can get discounts for purchasing goods and services.
� Provide $14 monthly allowance over 70 years elders.
� Planed to introduced loan scheme for low income elders.
� Self employment grants for young elders.
� Establish elder co-oparative society by using elders committee.
� Created an elder welfare fund.
� Establishment of elders committees
GN – 11500 , Div – 330, Dis – 25, Prov – 09,
� To establish National level elder committee.
Care and support for caregivers
� Geriatric diploma programme for medical officers.
� Gerontology and counseling diploma for all Elder right
Promotion Officers.
� Training and provide facilities
� Formulating rules and regulation for caregivers.
� To be started NVQ level 4 for caregivers.
� Promote caregiver programme among young elders
over 50 years in village level.
� Provide cataract lances and hearing aids for low
income elders
� Introducing the SLS standers for elders homes.
� Facilitate elders home to upgrade.
� Maintenance Board
� Planned to collaborate programmes with
Ministry of women affairs
� Awareness programmes for school children
� To be introduced hot line for elderly
Neglect Abuse and Violence
Suggestions to be considered
� Strengthening international and regional
partnerships
� Providing capacity building opportunities for
government officers and stakeholders
� Sharing of knowledge and resources
� Empowering elders for active participation