Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2022-08-20 07:48:00
All 35 presidential candidates need to address the ageing time bomb, which is facing Sri Lanka today.
The United Nations has identified that Sri Lanka has the oldest population in South Asia and has one of the fastest ageing populations in the world.
In the 1980s, the working-age population greatly outnumbered our senior citizens but today around 13.9 percent or three million over 60s make up the 20.96 million people living in Sri Lanka. At current estimates, that figure will rise to 28.6 percent by 2050, which based on the present population levels, will mean around 5.9 million pensioners, who will need looked after.
With past governments prevaricating over this issue, the necessary structures are not in place to help our people as they grow older. There are several fronts to this problem.
Only one in 10 pensioners receives pensions as the main source of their income, which means that most rely on family support in their old age. By the time they are in their 70s, most senior citizens require some sort of healthcare support, which could involve hospitalisation and certainly a greater dependency on drugs.
Many more people are going to live longer as medical science finds ways to prolong our lives. But that means that by the time they are in their 80s, many more people are going to need full-time healthcare. With more and more women out at work along with their husbands, who will look after our elderly? And as the money runs out as people grow older, who is going to find the money to pay for that additional care?
No one seems to be addressing these problems and yet they are vital to the security of our economy. As the working population shrinks as a percentage of the overall population, where are the taxes going to come from to build more hospitals, provide more care for the elderly and yet keep the country functioning?
As a country, we are already facing labour shortages in areas such as construction, agriculture, health and tourism. Where will we find the workers to sustain our economy? Will it come from importing labour? And how will that affect the delicate balance of our society?
We can’t reverse the ageing population problem and we have a duty to our elderly to provide them with happy and comfortable later years. Yes, some will work longer but that will not compensate for the growing age problem.
So, my challenge to each and every presidential candidate is to answer the following:
Promising the earth is a favourite pastime of politicians at election time. But on this subject, we need concrete answers and practical solutions. Our youth are important, especially because they are the workforce of tomorrow, but our senior citizens are extremely important as the time bomb ticks.
(Milinda Moragoda is a former minister and Pathfinder Foundation founder)
Sell your vehicle & house fast with hitad.lk only cost is Rs.400, Advertise in Hitad.lk for free to sell your mobile phone. Want to sell your Pet, Advertise for Free in hitad.lk Search for Houses in Sri Lanka and find the best place through Hitad.lk find your best tuition place. Find the best partner for you, visit hitad.lk Find anything at any time hitad.lk.
Sell your vehicle & house fast with hitad.lk only cost is Rs.400, Advertise in Hitad.lk for free to sell your mobile phone. Want to sell your Pet, Advertise for Free in hitad.lk Search for Houses in Sri Lanka and find the best place through Hitad.lk find your best tuition place. Find the best partner for you, visit hitad.lk Find anything at any time hitad.lk.
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Sell your vehicle & house fast with hitad.lk only cost is Rs.400, Advertise in Hitad.lk for free to sell your mobile phone. Want to sell your Pet, Advertise for Free in hitad.lk Search for Houses in Sri Lanka and find the best place through Hitad.lk find your best tuition place. Find the best partner for you, visit hitad.lk Find anything at any time hitad.lk.
Speaking at an emergency debate in the parliament MP Wimal Weerawansa boldly
Last week’s article was about the guerilla war fought by the Janatha Vimukt
The public has once again been advised to wear masks to prevent the spread of
In Palawela Udaniriella, an 8-year-old girl became the victim of Grave Sexual
19 Aug 2022
17 Aug 2022
17 Aug 2022
16 Aug 2022