Meeting demographic change

Sri Lanka ageing faster:

V. Jegarasasingam

Sri Lanka ranks as a country with a rapidly ageing population. Life expectancy, which was 46 years in 1946, increased to 70 years in 1981, then to 74 years in 2005 and is expected to rise up to 80 years within the next 2 decades. This dramatic demographic transmission has created changes in the population age structure. There is a marked increase of the elderly population, compared to younger ages and this is found to be a notable phenomenon.

Elderly population

Sri Lanka, has a population ageing faster than in other countries in the region; and by 2031 it is estimated that around 5.1 million people in this country would be elderly.

Population projections show that the proportion of the elderly population (60 years and over), who constitute 10 percent of the age structure in 2001, will continue to rise by 2021 to 17 percent of the population. The increase in the elderly population will have a tremendous impact on the labour force and other social-sector welfare programs.

The old=age dependency ratio reflects a significant increase from 5.9 percent in 1996 to 7.4 per cent in 1997 and to 12.3 percent by 2011; and it is projected that this rate should increase up to 17.0 percent by 2021, resulting in the need for the provision of social security to older persons.

Population ageing necessitates Government intervention through the formulation of a national policy action plan and special programs.

National Committee on Ageing was set up in 1982 and a policy document on Ageing and older persons was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. An action plan was also prepared, based on the policy guidelines.

However, the operations of the National Committee did not go smoothly until 1991. After 1991, the National Committee was reactivated and several new programs were formulated.

The introduction of legislation for the Protection of the Rights of Elders, Act No. 9 of 2000, is a breakthrough in the history of elderly welfare.

This Act has provided for a National Council on Ageing with powers to advise the Government on the promotion of the welfare and rights of elderly.

The National Council can recommend programs to the Government and appropriate parties to strengthen family units based on the traditional values of Sri Lanka.

The other function of the Council would be to take all such measures as are necessary, in consultation with the relevant Ministries, Provincial and Local authorities, Districts and Divisional Secretariats, as well as religious institutions, NGOs and private-sector organizations, to promote and protect the welfare and rights of the elderly.

The Council provides due publicity, through all proper means, for the findings of studies and research, in order to make the public aware of the problems, needs and aspirations of the elderly.

It can also introduce and implement a health-insurance benefit scheme for the elderly and maintain and coordinate programs and schemes initiated and implemented by the government and voluntary organizations for the upliftment of the status of the elderly. Introduction of various programs to prepare the younger generation to confront old age with confidence and courage, as well as to initiate proper social-security schemes and encourage the younger generation to subscribe to such schemes, is also the function of the Council.

Destitute elders

The salient feature in the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000 is that children shall not wilfully neglect their parents, and is the duty and responsibility of children to provide care and to look into the needs of their parents. In terms of Section 15 (2) of the Act, the State shall provide proper residential facilities to destitute elders who are without children.

Another important factor in the act, in terms of 24 (1), is that there shall be appointed for the purpose of this Act, one or more Boards for the determination of claims for the maintenance by elders.

According to the Section 15 (3) of the Act, no elders shall, on account of their age, be subject to any liability, restriction or condition with regard to access to or use of any building or place or institute which any other persons have access or are entitled to use, whether or not on payment of any fee.

The Act has provision for any person or organization, voluntary or otherwise, that is engaged in providing services or assistance in any form, or manner to elders either directly or through any institution, to register under this Act.

By 1992, Social Services and the National Committee on Ageing Department had formulated a National Policy along with a Plan of Action.

The objective of the National Policy was “to give leadership and policy initiatives to create a healthy environment for older persons within the cultural norms and religious practices.”

The National Policy of the Government at that point was to provide social, economic, physical, mental and spiritual security to all citizens in their old age.

In accordance with the UN principles on older persons, this policy was further expanded in 1998/1999.

The National Policy on older persons envisages to prepare the population for a productive and fulfilling life at old age socially, economically, physically and spiritually; and to ensure independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity for those in old age.

Active ageing programs

Action was taken to establish Elders Committees throughout the island. Currently about 10,000 village level committees and 90 divisional level committees have been established. As mentioned in the Madrid Plan of Action, the aim of forming these committees is to get the participation of elders in decision making process and provide opportunities and support to participate in economic, social, cultural and life long learning programs.

The members of these organizations of elderly persons are being trained and educated in reviewing their programs by themselves. 223 Day centres have been established for the elders to carry out Active ageing programs including medical, religious, spiritual, cultural and income generation programs.

To be continued