'Twilight years' in Serendib, sans serenity and security
 

by Chandani Jayatilleke

The heart-rending fate of Sri Lanka's senior citizens is a continuing problem. As we had highlighted in these columns before, most senior citizens and retired people in this country are either bankrupt or physically unsafe.

Many of them end up in homes for the elders. Those who have some means and property go unattended. Often we hear how such people are harassed by their greedy relatives and neighbours.

They are now targeted by looters and burglars.

The woes of these silent sufferers go unseen and unheard by the authorities concerned although such authorities have been informed of such dangerous situations in several areas in Colombo and the suburbs. Unlike in the past, most people in their twilight years are no longer recepients of fanancial support or care from their children owing to fast and stressful lifestyles of the younger generation.

More than economic benefits, what the senior citizens expect from their children is love and care. But this seems to be an unachievable goal in today's society.

What happens to elders who have no children at all? These cases become critical when one of the spouses passes away. If the remaining spouse is a woman, the problem is serious.

Mrs. Siriwardena, a 80-year old widow, is going through a terrible experience. A retired teacher, she lives all by herself in her own home close to Nugegoda. Having no children to look after her, she leads a lonely life. Her nieces deliver her meals on a regular basis, but other than them, she has no visitors.

However, over the past few years, she has been going through a dreadful experience.

In her area, for a number of years, many day time burglaries have taken place. Her house has also been burgled many times. In the absence of any kith or kin, Mrs. Siriwardena, at that age, has no way of fighting the thieves. She is mentally down and continues to live in fear, although she says: "I am not scared and I am a religious person."

The situation is so bad that she is unable to walk up to the gate to collect the newspaper without locking the rear door! The burglars could break in at any moment. On one such occasion, a burglar had kept the loot on the ceiling of her bed room. On another occasion, a burglar had taken a brand new camera belonging to a friend.

Such burglaries have been happening in her area for over 10 years. Although many distinguished and influential people live in the vicinity, no improvement has been noticed.

She says she herself has made many attempts to bring this to the notice of the authorities concerned. "I have written to so many officials including the Women's Affairs Ministry officials. But I have not been able to get any relief. There are different days set apart as Women's Day, Elders' Day and Teachers' Day. What's the use of having such days if we can't live safely in our houses?," she asks.

She has also been harassed by some of the neighbours who think that people of her age should be living in homes for the elders. "They think a woman in my state should not own any property, which is nonsense," she adds.

This may be just one particular case. But it could be the fate of many other people in their twilight years.

Sri Lanka's population is ageing fast and the rate is the highest in the world. By 2025, over 20% of its population will be over 60 years of age from its current level of 9%. The fertility rate in the country is below replacement levels (1.9); therefore the people are not even replicating themselves.

People live longer, the life expectancy level for women is 73 years and for men it is 69 years. This phenomenon is leading to an increase in the old-old and widow categories in our population.

This has created a situation which demands tremendous expansion in health, security and old age support institutions. Elderly people need better health facilities; they need more comfortable houses and safe living areas.

It was reported that several other countries in the world are going through the 'old age' issue but they are at a much higher level of economic development. Sri Lanka by far is the poorest country undergoing this transition.

Senior citizens in many developed countries enjoy comfortable lifestyles, thanks to welfare schemes. Unlike the senior citizens in our country, they do not need to depend on their pension alone or be a burden on their children in their old-age. They are well protected by the law and much thought has been given to the care and social security of the old.

Are the authorities in Sri Lanka listening?