• A new vision for Sri Lanka’s grey generation

When we think of Sri Lanka’s future, we often picture young entrepreneurs, students, and digital innovation. But behind that picture, another quiet story is unfolding – one that we rarely talk about. 

Sri Lanka is becoming an ageing country faster than most others in Asia. By 2040, nearly one in four Sri Lankans will be over the age of 60. In simple terms, for every four citizens, one will be elderly. It’s not a distant prediction, it’s already happening. Hospitals, pensions, and even families are beginning to feel the impact.

The unspoken revolution

People live longer today because of better healthcare and living conditions. That is something to celebrate. But when birth rates fall and fewer young people enter the workforce, it changes everything – how we work, how we save, how we care for each other, and how the government plans its future. 

For decades, Sri Lanka’s family system took care of the elderly. Parents lived with children; neighbours helped one another. But today, with urbanisation, migration, and busier lives, that system is slowly breaking down. Many older people now live alone, depending on a small pension or the kindness of others.

Why ageing matters more than we realise

When the number of elderly rises and the number of working-age people shrinks, the balance of society shifts. There are fewer people to work, earn, and pay taxes, and more who need support and healthcare. 

This affects everything from economic growth to public finance. Imagine a house where only one person earns while three depend on them. That’s the direction Sri Lanka is moving towards unless it plans ahead wisely.

Beyond pensions: The real issues

Most discussions stop at pensions and allowances. But ageing touches every corner of society:

• Physical health: Older people face long-term illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
• Mental health: Many suffer from loneliness and depression, often silently.
• Finance: Only a small percentage of elderly citizens receive formal pensions. Others depend on children or savings, which are often not enough.

So the question isn’t just about how we should care for the elderly, but about how we could let them live with dignity, independence, and purpose.

Ageing shouldn’t mean stopping  

Older people are not a burden, they are an asset that society is failing to use wisely. Many retired teachers, engineers, nurses, and government officers have skills and knowledge that younger generations need. But there are no organised ways to tap into that experience. 

Countries like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea have learnt that the elderly can power what they call a ‘silver economy.’ This means creating new jobs, services, and industries around older citizens – healthcare, wellness tourism, lifelong learning, financial planning, and community mentoring. 

Why can’t Sri Lanka do the same? Imagine if retired professionals could teach part-time, mentor small businesses, or guide vocational training centres. Imagine if communities could match elderly volunteers with schools or local authorities that need help. That’s not charity; it’s smart economics.

Health system must change gears

Our hospitals are overloaded with patients because we focus mainly on treating sickness, not preventing it. For the elderly, prevention and early care matter most. Regular check-ups, exercise programmes, and proper diets can delay many diseases and save public money. 

We need community-based health programmes – small centres in every district where elders can get basic medical advice, talk to others, and stay active. These centres could be run by local authorities with help from NGOs, volunteers, and private companies. 

It’s time to shift from hospital beds to community benches, from illness management to wellness promotion.

Caring for the mind, not just the body

One of the most silent problems among older Sri Lankans is loneliness. With children abroad or working long hours, many elderly people live in emotional isolation. 

Simple interventions – neighbourhood clubs, senior volunteering programmes, or intergenerational activities in schools – can make a huge difference. A friendly conversation or shared hobby often means more than medicine. 

We must start treating mental well-being as part of national health, not an afterthought.

Money matters, but so does design

Financial security for older citizens is essential, but Sri Lanka’s current system isn’t built for an ageing society. Less than 20% of elders have a formal pension. The rest survive on meagre savings or family help. 

The Government can introduce a national senior citizens’ support framework, combining existing pension schemes, targeted subsidies, and home-care support into one efficient system, all managed digitally through the national ID network. This will reduce waste, cut duplication, and ensure that every rupee reaches those who need it most. 

To fund such programmes, the Government could issue ‘silver bonds,’ a safe investment option where citizens, companies, and the Sri Lankan diaspora can invest in eldercare infrastructure while earning a fair return. It’s not about giving handouts; it’s about creating sustainable systems that respect both dignity and fiscal responsibility.

Technology can bridge the gap

In the digital era, age should not mean disconnection. Simple technology training can open doors for older citizens to stay in touch with family abroad, access telemedicine, or even start small online ventures. 

A national ‘digital elders’ initiative, jointly led by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Ministry of Education, and telecom operators, could provide basic smartphone and internet literacy. The goal: no senior left offline. This will not only improve their quality of life but will also help reduce the loneliness that is becoming one of the biggest unspoken health issues among Sri Lanka’s elderly.

Everyone has a role

Fixing this issue isn’t the job of one ministry or one government. It needs everyone’s hand:

• The Ministry of Health must focus on preventive and elderly care.
• The Ministry of Finance must plan sustainable funding and incentives for private elder-care innovation.
• The Ministry of Labour must rethink retirement not as an exit but as a transition.
• Local governance institutions should create community hubs for elders.
• The private sector should see elder-care as an emerging market, not a welfare cost.
• Youth organisations should include intergenerational activities to bridge old and young.
• A national council on active ageing chaired by the president or prime minister could coordinate all these efforts under one strong national agenda.

New ways of thinking

Perhaps the biggest change must happen in our mindset. In Sri Lanka, ageing is often seen as the end of productivity, a time to sit quietly and fade into the background. That thinking must change. 

Let’s celebrate ageing as a sign of wisdom and contribution. Let’s bring stories of active, engaged seniors to our media and schools. Let’s make it normal – even admirable – to see 70-year-olds teaching, gardening, mentoring, or volunteering.

The slogan could be simple but powerful: ‘Together for an age-friendly Sri Lanka.’

The clock is ticking

Demographic change doesn’t wait for policy debates. Once a population starts ageing, it is irreversible. Sri Lanka’s window for action is closing fast. 

We can still choose: either let ageing become a heavy burden that drags us down, or turn it into a force for renewal, where the wisdom of elders and the energy of youth combine to build a stronger nation.

From burden to blessing

Ageing is not a crisis; it’s a test of how we value life itself. 

If Sri Lanka responds with empathy, innovation, and smart policy, our elders can become the anchors of wisdom and strength in uncertain times. But if we ignore the moment, the loss will go far beyond economics; it will touch the soul of our nation. 

The silver years are coming fast. The real question is whether we see them as a burden to carry or a blessing to build upon. Our choice will shape not just how we grow old but how we grow as a country.

(The writer is an independent researcher)

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official position of this publication)