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

Thanking You