Elders ID offers many privileges -Minister

Irangika Range

Social Services Minister Felix Perera said that the official identity card issued by the National Secretariat for Elderly Persons offers a number of privileges and relief to senior citizens in Sri Lanka.

He said the proposal was mooted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister said that elderly persons who held this official identity card are entailed to 5 percent discount when purchasing medicines from the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation while also receiving priority in obtaining medicine from Government hospitals. This identity card will be given priority at all post offices and sub-post offices while receiving higher interest from National Saving Bank.

They are also able to use this official identity card instead of the National Identity Cards during election times. Meanwhile, the Government has also taken measures to provide a Rs 500 monthly pension to 100 senior citizens who hold this identity card with no income avenue.

They will be selected from each district. Under the Sponsorship for Elders Schemes, Rs 250 will also be granted to the poorest of the poor senior citizens selected at District Secretariat level.

It is clearly mentioned in the "Mahinda Chinthanaya Idiri Dekma," that senior citizens in Sri Lanka should be provided privileges and facilities.

Therefore, ticket books with printed fares subject to a maximum of Rs 150 are issued each a month by the relevant Sri Lanka Transport Board's depots at a cost of Rs 75 for elderly persons. Meanwhile, necessary action is being taken to issue a free railway warrant once a year for annual pilgrimages.