Sri Lanka: Update to LKA32118.E of 25 June 1999 on the social services available to the elderly and whether retirees are entitled to pensions
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 7 April 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LKA41219.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sri Lanka: Update to LKA32118.E of 25 June 1999 on the social services available to the elderly and whether retirees are entitled to pensions, 7 April 2003, LKA41219.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4dc42a.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In an 11 April 2002 address at the Second World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid, Spain, the Head of the Sri Lankan delegation stated that the percentage of the population over the age of 60 will increase from the current 10 per cent to an estimated 20 per cent by 2025. Similarly, it is estimated that "old age dependency" will increase from its current figure of 5 per cent to some 32 per cent by 2025 (Sri Lanka 11 April 2002).
Describing the situation of the elderly in Sri Lanka, the Head of the delegation went on to state that the majority of Sri Lanka's elderly live in rural settings where the extended family is the main source of support (ibid.). In comparison to the rural situation, most of the elderly in urban areas live alone and "face loneliness and other accompanying problems stemming from insufficient family incomes coupled with a high cost of living" (ibid.). This situation is aggravated by the loss of traditional care givers through the internal and international migration of young people (ibid.).
It is estimated that some 0.4 per cent (or 5,000 persons) of the population live in homes for the elderly (The Island 1 Oct. 2002). A December 2002 Daily News article stated that the Sri Lankan Social Services Ministry runs over 600 care facilities for the elderly (11 Dec. 2002). Attempting to address allegations of abuse in these homes, the Ministry has introduced a new system of standards, which includes the provision of certain facilities in the homes, checking the professional qualifications of staff, and maintaining the "inmates" records (Daily News 11 Dec. 2002). The budget for these changes has, reportedly, been set at 1.12 million rupees, or 5,000 rupees for each home (ibid.).
A collaborative project launched by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and Helpage Sri Lanka in June 2002 seeks to improve the quality of life for elderly people living with families whose income is at or below the poverty line (The Island 1 Oct. 2002). Entitled Voluntary Home Care Service, the project has been initiated in Balangoda, Imbulpe, Opanayake and Embilipitiya, and provides free service to those unable to pay for basic care (ibid.).
A February 2002 article reported that the Department of Social Services was issuing an additional 25,000 special identity cards for elders (Daily News 11 February 2002). These cards were to be issued in addition to the 100,000 cards already distributed (ibid.). Previously, the scheme issued cards to persons above the age of 70, but the age limit had been lowered to 60 (ibid.). The cards grant elders priority when obtaining such services as health care, transportation and banking (ibid.).
A 1999 paper prepared by the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, Health Policy Programme, stated that, generally speaking, most elderly people in Sri Lanka do not depend on formal systems of income support, but instead receive such assistance from their family (36). According to the report, although pension systems do exist in Sri Lanka, they are limited (Institute of Policy Studies 1999, 36). Since the country's labour force is largely rural and outside the formal sector, those pension systems that do exist are mainly for employees of the public sector (ibid.). Although private sector employees have access to provident funds, it is estimated that these funds "will not provide adequate income support for many in old age, especially those whose lifetime earnings were low" (ibid., 36-37).
A paper prepared by the South Asian Network of Economic Research Institutes provided the following figures on sources of economic support for the elderly in Sri Lanka: 5.7 per cent from current gainful employment; 34 per cent from pension; and 39.3 per cent from support from their children (Jan. 2003, 28). According to the report, there are some 371,722 government pensioners in Sri Lanka (ibid., 36).
Under the Sri Lankan Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for private sector employees, a person covered by the fund is required to contribute 8 per cent of their income while the employer contributes 12 per cent (ibid., 46). The EPF provides a lump sum payment upon retirement, which is 55 years for males and 50 years for females (ibid., 47).
For further information on sources of economic support for the elderly in Sri Lanka, including the pension and social security benefit scheme established for such self-employed persons as farmers and fisherman, please consult the 2003 paper prepared by the South Asian Network of Economic Research Institutes entitled, "Economics of Pensions and Social Security in South Asia: Special Focus on India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh," and available at This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Daily News [Colombo]. 11 December 2002. Talia Jayasekera. "In Wake of Allegations of Abuse: New Efforts to Improve Our Elders' Lot." _____. 11 February 2002. Nadira Gunatilleke. "More Special ICs for Elders." Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka. 1999. Ravi P. Rannan-Eliya. "Economic Impacts of Demographic Ageing: With Special Emphasis on Sri Lanka and Old-Age Income Security." The Island [Colombo]. 1 October 2002. Himangi Jayasundere. "'Taking Care of Elders, A Serious Problem in Sri Lanka'." South Asian Network of Economic Research Institutes. January 2003. S. Irudaya Rajan, Myrtle Perera and Sharifa Begum. "Economics of Pensions and Social Security in South Asia: Special Focus on India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh." Sri Lanka. 11 April 2002. "Statement by H.E. Mr. Chandra Wickramasinghe at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid Spain." Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
NEXIS
Internet sites, including:
BBC
The Daily Mirror
HelpAge
Sri Lankan Daily News and Reports: Colombo Page
Sri Lanka Ministry of Health
The Sunday Times
UN Population Fund
Search engine:
Google