Crackdown on unregistered elders homes to begin

Colombo, June 8 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment said it will soon begin a crack down on unregistered elderly care homes while action will be taken against homes operating illegally without registration.   

Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage told media that only 148 of the 455 elderly care homes reported across the country are currently registered with the National Secretariat for Elders.  

The Minister said steps are being taken to swiftly introduce a new set of regulations that will grant authorities the power to register and regulate elder’s care facilities.   

Accordingly, the final proposal for regulations has already been drafted, and discussions are underway with Provincial Councils to receive approval.   He noted that the regulations will be implemented as soon as the required consensus is reached.  

The Minister also assured that measures will be taken to improve the quality and standards of elder’s care facilities and ensure they are operated in accordance with proper regulations.  

Meanwhile, it was reported that eight residents aged over 60 who were staying at the Anguruwatota elderly care home destroyed in a fire have been relocated to a government-run elderly care home in Kataragama.