Pension scheme for septuagenarians

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry will soon grant a permanent pension for all Sri Lankan elders who are above 70. A feasibility study in under way with the assistance of HelpAge International to implement this pension scheme covering the whole country, Social Services and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri told the Daily News.

Deputy Minister Premasiri said that the Government has to spend only between 0.2 per cent and 2 per cent from the National Budget to implement this pension scheme and this will help the rapidly growing elderly population in Sri Lanka, their families and care takers. According to the Deputy Minister many elders depend on a very low charity allowance and have to stand for hours in queues because they are ashamed of getting a charity allowance.

An allowance of 100 rupees per month is not adequate for an elder at all when comparing with the present day cost of living.

According to latest statistics, the Sri Lankan population is growing old rapidly and it is expected that the country will be among other South Asian countries with a very high percentage of elderly people.

Therefore, this pension scheme will ease the burden on the future Governments, Deputy Minister Premasiri added.