Sunday Times 2
HelpAge opens Elders Day centre at Moratuwa
View(s):HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) opened its second Elders Day Centre at Moratuwa for needy senior citizens who wish to spend their leisure time with other elders by engaging in various activities.
The new centre is located at no. 37, Ernest Place, Lakshapathiya, Moratuwa, and is equipped with recreation facilities and other equipment.
A large number of seniors in the area were present at the opening ceremony.
Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa, Nishantha Gooneratne and Harsha Bandara at the opening ceremony.
HASL Chairman Tilak de Zoysa said day centres are important for seniors to spend their leisure time with peers without being isolated in their homes during the day.
HASL Council Member Nishantha Gooneratne thanked Walana (Negombo) Lakshmi Niwasa Buddhist Society, started by late Sir Ernest and Lady Evadne de Silva who gifted the building and the property to establish this centre.
He said 20 seniors are currently staying in the centre with free meals daily and during the day they are engaged in various entertainment, religious and social activities.
He said more will be accommodated in future.
Executive Director Dr Harsha Bandara said the centre is maintained by HelpAge Head office at Raththanapitiya, Borelasgamuwa. He added that HelpAge conducts free services for seniors in need of them and highlighted that HelpAge Eye Hospital at Wellawatta performed over 55,000 free cataract surgeries since inception.
Well-wishers could make donations for seniors who visit the centre every day.