Sri Lanka joined the global community in marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Monday, with a national commemoration scheduled for the evening at the Colombo Municipal Council open-air premises and the Lotus Tower set to be illuminated in purple — the international theme colour symbolising dignity, respect and justice for older people.
The Colombo Municipal Council building and the iconic Lotus Tower were both due to be lit purple after dark, NewsFirst reported, citing the National Secretariat for Elders. The awareness campaign aimed to highlight the urgent need to protect senior citizens from neglect, abuse and exploitation.
Director of the National Secretariat for Elders Chathura Mihidum said the campaign would extend beyond symbolic gestures to concrete action, with a comprehensive nationwide survey of elder care homes launched from Monday. The survey will evaluate conditions and standards within residential facilities for the elderly, with particular attention to their preparedness in handling emergency situations.
The launch lands alongside a sustained NPP government push to formalise the elder-care sector, following the April fire at the Anguruwatota elders’ home that killed twelve residents and the subsequent decision to make registration of elder homes mandatory under the Department of Social Services. The Anguruwatota facility’s director was granted bail earlier this month pending trial.
Mr. Mihidum is also the official voice behind the parallel rollout that shifted state-paid elder allowance payments to the post office network from June 15.
Source: NewsFirst — World Elder Abuse Awareness Day marked in Sri Lanka.
