International Elders' Day
Elders earn our highest respect - President
It is today's elders who have guided and sheltered us and given us
the advice to face the problems of the world and accordingly they earn
our highest respect, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
President Rajapaksa in a message on the occasion of celebrating
'International Day of Elders' which falls today, said: "The culture and
traditions in Sri Lanka do not confine respect and proper treatment to
the elderly to a single day in a year. It is today's elders who have
guided and sheltered us and given us the advice to face the problems of
the world, and accordingly they earn our highest respect.
The population of elders in our society is steadily increasing which
is a result of the good health and welfare services that Sri Lanka can
be truly proud of.
The theme for International Day of Elders this year is "Development
through Healthy Aging", which fits in well with the policies of Mahinda
Chinthana which provides for 'Respected Senior Citizens' program.
Age does not prevent the contributions that senior citizens could
make for the benefit of society. It is, therefore necessary that there
should be more facilities for them to participate in national
development and at the same time make our youth understand the important
role the elderly can play in the advancement of society.
I commend the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry for their
commitment in work for the welfare of elders in Sri Lanka and wish a
better future for all the elders of our motherland".
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