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by Nadira Gunatilleke

Even people who lead a happy life during their youth can become miserable when they grow old without a steady income or financial stability. Therefore, the Social Welfare Ministry established the Social Security Board which is the only institution that offers a pension scheme for self-employed people, Social Welfare Minister Ravindra Samaraweera said.

He was speaking at the Siya Saviya exhibition held at Dehiaththakandiya Mahaweli Sports grounds recently. The exhibition was organised by the Social Welfare Ministry to raise funds for the welfare of the elderly and disabled persons. The Minister said that in another 27 years one third of the population of the country will become elders (people above the age of 60).

The Social Welfare Ministry has implemented a strategy to provide financial stability to the elderly persons by forming elders committees. The programme is aimed at re-employing elders. About 3,200 elders committees have been set up at rural level. The National level elders committee will be a strong pressure group during elections, the minister added.

Health, Nutrition and Welfare Minister P. Dayaratne was the chief guest at the opening ceremony.

The `Siya Saviya' educational exhibition and trade fair will be held in several parts of the country shortly in order to raise funds for the needy.

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