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More special ICs for elders

by Nadira Gunatilleke

The Department of Social Services will issue another 25,000 special identity cards for elders under the Social Welfare Ministry's 100 Days Program, Director, Social Services, Ms. Nimala J. Pathirana told the "Daily News" yesterday.

Ms. Pathirana said that the Department has already issued about 100,000 special identity cards for the elders since the commencement of the program. It is very important to obtain this identity card for every elder above the age of 60 because it gives several benefits for them. Earlier the persons above the age of 70 were eligible to apply for this ID but now the age limit has been lowered to the age of 60 by the Department.

The elders do not need to wait in the OPD queues and they should be given priority in the government health services when they produce their identity cards to the hospital authorities. Several base hospitals have already opened special OPD counters for the elders, she said.

According to Ms.Pathirana the elders can get priority when obtaining several other services such as transport, banking and postal. The Social Services Department has taken steps to educate all the government institutions about this special identity card through relevant ministries in order to provide a better service for the elders who have already obtained it. The department has also issued a special poster to raise awareness in the public on this special identity card.

All Sri Lankans over the age of 60 are eligible for this special elders' identity card. The applications for this identity card should be forwarded to the Department of Social Services through the Divisional Secretaries of the relevant Divisional Secretariat divisions. More details can be obtained from the Department of Social Service, No.76/1, Duminda Building, Galle Road, Colombo 4 or over the telephone (01-506677).

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