Sri Lanka is ageing

A study conducted by HelpAge has revealed that Sri Lanka's population is ageing rapidly:

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

People over 60 years comprise nine percent of the population. This will reach 25 percent by 2041. Coverage of pensions is small. Ten percent to 15 percent of the population have access to any form of pension scheme - and, most pension schemes provide benefits that are well below the poverty line, Social Services and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri said.

The Government has taken a policy decision to pay pension to all Sri Lankan citizens above 65 years, the Deputy Minister told the Daily News yesterday.

According to the Deputy Minister, a study has already been conducted to implement this policy decision soon.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa strongly believes that all elders should receive a pension. President Rajapaksa has already increased the `Public Assistance' from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000.

This is a significant step taken by the President to ensure the well-being of the elder population. The life expectancy of Sri Lankan has gone upto 75 years with the rapid development of health services, medical facilities, education and the living standard as a whole.

The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry offers pension schemes for self-employed persons through its Social Security Board established in 1996 under the Act No.17, the Deputy Minister added.