The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the answers are as follows:

¶ 02 1) Countries use varying thresholds. In Sri Lanka, the operative law is the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act, No. 9 of 2000, which defines an “elder” as any person over 60 years. Accordingly, all persons aged 60+ are considered older persons.

¶ 03 2) As per the Department of Census and Statistics, in 1981, 6.6% of the population was 60+. By 2012, it was 12.3%. While final official figures are pending, 2024 estimates place the 60+ share at about 18%, approximately 3.9 million people.

¶ 04 3) On 1 October this year, aligned with the International Day of Older Persons, we launched a national policy formulated by a special committee under the National Council for Elders, with input from academics, NGOs, civil society, private and public sectors. Key goals include: - Promotion and protection of rights; - Promoting age-friendly, accessible environments; - Enhancing health care and well-being; - Economic security and livelihoods; - Social inclusion and participation; - Strengthening long-term, intermediate, respite and palliative care; - Coordination and integration through a life-course approach; - Evidence-based decision-making and accountability.

¶ 05 4) Ongoing programmes include monthly livelihood assistance to low-income elders. Previously, those 70+ received Rs. 3,000; since April 2025 we increased this to Rs. 5,000. Beneficiaries rose from about 1.85 million elders to around 2 million. Additional support schemes for low-income 60+ elders include: - “Arogya” programme: Rs. 25,000 grants for non-communicable disease support; provision of hearing aids, spectacles, etc.; - “Suwapahasu” grants up to Rs. 100,000 for household sanitation facilities for elders; - Self-employment grants up to Rs. 50,000 for elder livelihood activities; - Housing repair assistance up to Rs. 700,000 for low-income elder households. We also establish and strengthen elders’ societies and support their social activities.

¶ 06 There are 452 registered elder care institutions housing around 11,000 elders. To improve quality, we provide grants up to Rs. 2 million per institution for facility upgrades, and up to Rs. 3.5 million to start 24-hour elder care centres.

¶ 07 5) Going forward, we are operationalizing the new policy with an action plan vetted by the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment. We are preparing amendments to the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act, No. 9 of 2000; a draft has been sent to the Legal Draftsman to bring a new Bill shortly. The National Secretariat for Elders’ maintenance tribunals are being digitized and expanded.

¶ 08 On social security, through the National Social Security Board we are developing a retirement pension mechanism for all elders, especially those in the informal sector—daily wage earners, three-wheeler drivers, carpenters, masons—so that upon reaching old age they have a retirement income.

¶ 09 We have also issued guidelines to improve standards in elder care homes and will regulate quality to ensure dignified, quality services. While providing assistance, our aim is to help elders lead socially integrated lives, with improved facilities for those in institutions, over the coming years.

¶ 10 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 11 It being past 5.30 p.m., THE HON. PRESIDING MEMBER adjourned Parliament without Question put.

¶ 12 Parliament adjourned accordingly at 5.37 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 08th October, 2025.