Kayden Cares Framework Calls for Safer Care Standards in Sri Lanka

These images show the damage at the gutted elders’ home in Horana

The recent fire at an elderly care home in Horana, which claimed the lives of multiple elderly residents, has shocked the nation and raised serious concerns about the safety, oversight, and quality standards within Sri Lanka’s care sector. Initial reports indicate that the facility was overcrowded and operating without proper registration, exposing vulnerable residents to unacceptable risks.

This tragedy follows a series of incidents affecting vulnerable citizens, including elderly persons and individuals requiring care who were displaced, injured, or lost their lives during the devastating Cyclone Ditwah disaster. The storm exposed significant challenges in emergency preparedness, evacuation planning, and the protection of those most dependent on care and support services. These incidents are not isolated events. They are reminders of the urgent need for a coordinated, accountable, and quality-driven care system that safeguards people from birth to the end of life.

The Kayden Cares Framework (KCF) has been established to support the development of safer, more compassionate, and more accountable care services across Sri Lanka. Through standards development, workforce training, quality assurance, research, digital transformation, and community engagement, KCF aims to strengthen the country’s care ecosystem and improve outcomes for older persons, persons with disabilities, individuals with chronic illnesses, neurodiverse individuals, and vulnerable families.

The Framework is currently working with government agencies, care providers, development partners, researchers, and community organisations to build a national platform that promotes best practices and supports continuous improvement across the care sector.

Soshana Wijeratne Austin, Founder Director of the Kayden Cares Framework, speaking of the incident, said: “We cannot wait for another tragedy before taking action. Every Sri Lankan deserves to live with dignity, safety, and proper support. The time has come to work together to strengthen the systems that protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

As part of this initiative, Kayden Cares Framework is inviting  Elder care homes, disability support centres, child development and special needs centres, community care providers,  caregivers and care professionals,  government and non-government organisations, researchers and development partners to join the Kayden Cares Platform and become part of Sri Lanka’s growing care community.

Organisations that register will have the opportunity to participate in future mapping exercises, training programmes, quality improvement initiatives, research projects, pilot programmes, and the development of national care standards. Together, we can build a care system that is safer, stronger, and more compassionate for every Sri Lankan. 

The Kayden Cares Framework invites all care-related organisations and professionals to register their interest and join the movement to improve care standards across Sri Lanka. 

For further information, 

visit their website: 

www.thekaydencaresframework.org or send an email to 

[email protected].