Legal aid scheme for discarded parents

The Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare has launched a legal aid scheme to help parents seek maintenance from their children. Act no. 9 of 2000 has made provision enabling parents to obtain maintenance from their children who have ignored parental care.

The Judicial Commission has received the assistance of the Legal Aid Commission to expand the role of the maintenance board of elders functioning under the National Elders Secretariat. At present there are 46 branches of the Legal Aid Commission located throughout the island where legal officers are ready to provide relief to the helpless parents.

Addresses of the divisional officers are available with the National Elders Secretariat 150A, LHG Bldg. Nawala Rd, Nugegoda.

The aggrieved parents can contact these centres for relief.