Life expectancy rate of Lankan women, men up

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The life expectancy of Sri Lankan women and men has increased up to 80 and 76 years, according to latest Health Ministry statistics, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to Wanninayake, Health Ministry Acting Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala presented latest facts during a recent ceremony which shows an improvement in health care service and the living standards of people.

It is expected that the average life expectancy rate of Sri Lankans can reached 100 years in the next four decades, if current positive trends continue. Meanwhile, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has instructed health officials to gather data and formulate plans and programmes to take care of the increasing elderly population."

The elderly population in the country shows a significant increase with the increasing life expectancy rate and improving health care facilities and living standards", he said.