• Aid and allowances barely sufficient
• Government increases allowance for elders
• State-run children’s homes under budget constraints
• Self-funded care homes for children struggling
• Rise in admissions to children’s homes

By Sarah Hannan With citizens losing their disposable income given the skyrocketing cost of living in Sri Lanka, the less-privileged who depend on charity are taking a hit.  In line with the saying ‘charity starts at home,’ many people are understandably looking at keeping food on the table at home before extending a helping hand to others, and this frugality is affecting a sector that depends on donated funds, dry rations, or meals – care homes for children and the elderly. Despite most Sri Lankan families living with several generations or multiple families under the same roof, the fact remains that the nine provinces of the country feature a considerable number of elders and children’s care homes. The 2021 statistics for the National Secretariat for Elders show that there are 349 elders homes in the country, housing 8,806 elders. According to the 2019 statistics of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, there are 379 children’s homes across Sri Lanka housing 10,748 children. Burden on elders Outlining steps taken to ease the economic burden on elders of the country, State Minister of Samurdhi and Household Economy Shehan Semasinghe noted: “The Cabinet of Ministers agreed on increasing allowances allocated for elders by Rs. 3,000, bringing it up to Rs. 5,000, and 416,667 beneficiaries are eligible to receive the allowance. In addition to that, we are paying an Rs. 5,000 allowance to waitlisted beneficiaries and elders above the age of 100; their allowance has been raised by Rs. 2,500 to reach Rs. 7,500.” Although the allowances have been raised in this manner, a question arises as to whether it is sufficient to cover the medical costs faced by elders.  Given the shortage of medicines at State hospitals for the past few months, many of the drugs prescribed have been purchased from private pharmacies and the increasing costs of the medicines are further burdening the elderly, as they cannot meet the expenses using this allowance. Children’s homes hit hard The Sunday Morning spoke to Department of Probation and Child Care Services Commissioner Sudheera Nilanga Withana to ask about how the deteriorating economic conditions are affecting the upkeep of children’s homes across the country. Withana stated: “There are 379 children’s homes across Sri Lanka, out of which only 44 are State-run. The increasing cost of goods has a considerable impact on the upkeep of all these homes as they have to work within budgetary constraints and dwindling donor funds or paid-in-kind services that are generally afforded.” According to Withana, the State-run children’s homes are supplied with the necessary dry rations to prepare food for the children and facility upkeep is managed with budgetary allocations dispersed through the Provincial Councils’ Departments of Probation and Child Care Services. “The Government has allocated a daily allowance of Rs. 100 per child receiving care in these 379 homes. The daily allowance was increased to Rs. 100 in December 2021 through a Cabinet paper; until then it was at Rs. 50,” Withana explained. While the present economic crisis has not had a huge impact on State-run children’s homes, Withana reiterated that the self-funded care homes were finding it difficult to feed the children even with the State-allocated funds per child per day. Rising registrations Moreover, the Provincial Councils’ Departments of Probation and Child Care Services have observed an increase in children being registered at care homes, with parents finding it difficult to clothe and feed them due to the mounting cost of living. “This too has posed a challenge to us, as we have to place them in care homes and then ensure their education is not hindered. During the lockdowns and school closures, these children had to suffer as most of the care homes do not have computer facilities and internet access for students to attend online classes. At least now we do not have that burden with schools operating,” Withana informed. Considering the insufficient allowances allocated for children and elders, one can only imagine the plight they face as prices of medicines, food, and other consumer goods keep rising. How long will the State be able to provide welfare benefits for these social segments as the country’s economy crumbles?