• To provide solution for elders with assets but sans care  
• More scope for pvt sector involvement  

The Government is looking to create opportunities for private individuals to care for older people who have assets but no one to look after them, alongside plans to strengthen the implementation of legislation on elder care and allocate additional funding, Deputy Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Minister Wasantha Piyatissa said.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said that the National Policy for Senior Citizens had been finalised by the Legal Draftsman’s Department and that the Government planned to regulate all elder care homes across the country, with increased funding and a greater scope for private sector participation under the proposed arrangements. 

“We are expecting to allocate more funds under this regulatory framework and give the private sector an opportunity to get involved.” He said that the proposed arrangement would also offer a way for senior citizens who own money or property but have no one to care for them to receive residential care in return for an agreed share of their assets. “There are older people who have money and property but no one to look after them. If they sign an agreement, a person caring for them could receive a share of their property or assets under that agreement, and provide them with comfortable care. We are hoping to create that opportunity.”

The proposals come as Sri Lanka’s population continues to age. According to the final report of the 2024 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Census and Statistics Department, Sri Lanka has approximately 3.9 million people aged over 60. It was also reported recently that despite Sri Lanka having 496 reported elder care homes accommodating 10,770 older people, only 148 institutions (29.83 per cent) are currently registered with the National Secretariat for Elders. The Colombo District, one of the country’s most populated Districts, has no elder care centre directly operated by the Government or the Provincial Social Services Department. A total of 3,850 females and 6,920 males are currently living in 496 elder care homes across the country. Of the 496 homes, only three are managed by the Secretariat, six are owned by Provincial Councils, and 487 are operated by private organisations, voluntary organisations and private companies.