National ceremonies mark Children's, Elders' Day

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

International Children's Day and International Elders' Day fall today. Sri Lanka celebrates both days today on a grandscale holding two separate National ceremonies. The theme of this year's Children's Day is `Let us build a unified Nation for our children', and Elders' Day is 'Towards development through healthy adult life'.

The National ceremony to mark International Children's Day organised by the Child Development and Women's Empowerment Ministry will be held at 9.00 a.m. at Kularatne Hall, Ananda College, Colombo under the patronage of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, Child Development and Women's Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena, ministry officials and department heads.

Around 500 children representing North, East and all the other provinces will take part. Another 50 children from pre-schools and 25 children with special needs will also take part in this national ceremony. Children will present cultural items.

Awards will be presented to the best three children's societies in the country and winners of literary competitions.

The National ceremony to mark International Elders' Day organised by the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry will be held at Galle Town Hall at 9.00 a.m. under the patronage of Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Social Services and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri and ministry officials.

A special bus service will be available for elders to travel to this location. The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry is in the process of obtaining elders' experiences and knowledge towards developing the country.

It is estimated that elders represent around 20 percent of the total population of the country.

The total percentage of dependents is over 50 percent (children, elders and 10 percent of disabled persons) and therefore obtaining the contribution of elders towards development is essential.