National Federation of Senior Citizens formed countrywide
Nimal WIJESINGHE, Anuradhapura Additional district
group correspondent
The membership of the National Federation of Senior Citizens of Sri
Lanka has exceeded 400,000 since its formation last August. During the
period 45,000 applications were received seeking life membership.
This organisation was established on the instructions of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa is open for citizens over 45 years of age islandwide.
Once the membership reaches 100,000 district and divisional offices will
be opened to expand the movement to benefit the Senior citizens and for
facilitating its activities,” said Vajira Hirugalbandara the
Coordinating Director (Public Relations) attached to the Presidential
Secretariat.
He was addressing a large gathering of senior citizens representating
23 Divisional Secretariat divisions in Anuradhapura district at the
special meeting convened to initiate the formation of the District
Steering Committee of the Federation.
The conference was held at the auditorium of the Chief Ministry
Anuradhapura.
Explaining the structure of the new organisation Hirugalbandara said
that the monthly fee for a member will be Rs. 50. Those who wished to
become life members could get life membership having deposited Rs.
5,000.
The federation would invest such deposits and the bank interest will
be used to form a beneficiary fund to activate various welfare schemes
to give relief to the needy senior citizens.
He said initially Rs. 100,000 gratuity will be paid to a member
undergoing heart surgery. Every senior citizen who gets life membership
would be offered a telephone free.
The tour agencies have consented to charge only half of their travel
packages to visit ‘Dambadiva’ (India) on pilgrimages, from the batches
of senior citizens.
Hirugalbandara said those who are appointed to various ranks of the
organisation will have to be recommended by the Grama Niladari, the
Divisional Secretary, the OIC of the relevant police station and the
Chief Incumbent of the village temple or other religious leaders
vouching for the good character of such persons.
The membership card issued to every member would be respected and
given priority at all governmental and non governmental institutions in
fulfilling the requirements of the holders, Chief Minister Berty
Premalal Dissanayake said that only retired Government employees had the
opportunity to join pensioners societies.
But resulting from the establishment of the National Federation of
Senior Citizens of Sri Lanka in par with the Mahinda Chinthana even
farmers, traders, self employed entrepreneurs, private sector employees
and in short any civilian over 45 years could join the organisation
which assures State intervention and a package of incentives with a
range of benefits.
He emphasised that in the wake of bringing permanent peace to the
country under the farsighted leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,
it is a good omen the citizens over 45 are being offered shelter under
such a vast well planned organisation.
The senior citizens from the level of a labourer to the top level
executive could submit their views and ideas to the Government with
regard to various strategies to end the conflict to bring about peace. |