Only 148 of Sri Lanka’s 455 elders’ homes registered – Minister after fire tragedy

The elders’ home in Anguruwathota, Horana, where a fire claimed the lives of 12 residents earlier this week, had been operating without the required registration and approval, Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Upali Pannilage said.

Speaking on the incident, the Minister said that under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000, any individual or institution accommodating more than five elderly persons as an elders’ home must be registered with the National Secretariat for Elders.

He said the facility involved in the tragedy had not obtained the necessary registration and was therefore operating illegally.

The fire, which broke out on June 3, completely destroyed the facility, killing 12 residents and leaving six others hospitalized.

Pannilage said investigations are continuing with the involvement of Divisional Secretariat officials, social service officers and other government authorities.

He added that survivors had been relocated, with some handed over to their guardians, eight elderly persons transferred to the government-run Silver Age Centre in Kataragama, and 39 persons with disabilities moved to state care facilities.

The Minister also revealed that Sri Lanka has 455 elders’ homes, but only 148 are officially registered with the National Secretariat for Elders.

He said the Government is in the process of strengthening regulations governing elders’ homes and has already forwarded amendments to the relevant legislation to the Attorney General’s Department. (Newswire)

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