The NGO Forum on Ageing (NFOA) urged the Government that a Social Security Pension for every person was a need which could be met with perhaps a slight increase in the VAT, considering the increasing aging population in the country.
“An Elders Emergency Fund should be established in the case of an elder being abandoned or ill treated where the adult can be supported financially,” the special statement by the organization said.
The NFOA said that the political administration, especially at local level must provide financial and legal advice to elders to prevent them investing their assets in unsafe financial schemes.
“Banking facilities should be enhanced for elders in terms of returns on investment especially to prevent them falling easy prey to investment scams and special insurance policies especially relating to health care, which currently are not elder friendly should be introduced”, the Forum said.
Elders in Sri Lanka are approximately 2.3 million in a population of approximately 20 million and are 1/5 of the voters.
Lowering of cost of essential pharmaceuticals for elders and at least a 10% discount on prescribed drugs, lowering of rates for entry of elders to social and recreation places and events such as theatres and exhibitions, lowering of prices of basic food and clothing items, provision of nutritious food outlets in close proximity to low and middle class residential areas are some of the proposals made by NFOA.
NFOA also urged political administrations at all levels to engage the private sector in dialogue to promote their provision of essential facilities for elders at affordable rates. |
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