
A five-year program to look into the needs of elders in the Anuradhapura and Mannar districts was launched with financial support of the Government of Germany. The financial patronage is extended by BMZ (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economy Cooperation and Development and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM). The Nuwaragam Palatha Central Divisional Secretariat Division in the Anuradhapura district and the Manthai West Divisional Secretariat division in the Mannar district have been earmarked for the program implementation in the first phase.
The main goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of about 3,000 elderly people including 2,000 persons suffering from mental and physical disabilities through access to community-based health and counselling services and increased public awareness.
This is called “Community-based inclusive development for aging with dignity”. The program is implemented by the Methodist church Deaf Link organisation under the supervision of Vanee Surendranathan, the country representative of the Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
The elders’ friendly program has been in effect since January 2021. Priority is given for community consultation on the concerns of the elderly persons and implementing medical care camps. According to Beula Jeyam, the Mannar and Anuradhapura districts chief program coordinator of the Deaf Link, the program includes four sub-goals such as capacity building social services and Health Counselling inclusion and integration, and lobby for old people.
Beula Jayam said that it has been planned to conduct 30 medical camps - 20 in Anuradhapura and 10 in the Mannar districts for elderly people with the involvement of senior citizen societies under the supervision of Government Elders’ Rights Promotion officers, Grama Niladharis in the forefront guided by Divisional Secretaries. The first medical camp was conducted recently in Pandulagama, Korakahawewa where around 500 needy elderly persons in Pandulagama, Thisawewa and Korakahawewa in the Nuwaragam Palatha Central Divisional Secretariat Division participated.