HelpAge commemorates International Day of Older Person

The annual Elders Walk organised by HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) jointly with the District Secretariat of Kalutara and the Kalutara Bodhi Trust to coincide with the International Day of Older persons 2022 will commence from Kalutara Bodiya premises on October 5 (Wednesday) at 8 am. Over 500 elders between the ages of 60-85 years will participate in the event.

The Elders Walk will be conducted under the supervision of HelpAge Sri Lanka, Kalutara District Secretariat, Kalutara Bodhi Trust, elders societies and the Kalutara District Senior Citizens Federation. It will end at the Kalutara District Secretariat premises at 10 am.

Commenting on the walk, HASL, Chairman, Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa said the rapidly rising ageing population is a challenge in today's world, and reminded everyone of the valuable contribution and service rendered by elders to the society.

HASL Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge said this year’s walk will be conducted under the theme ‘Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing world’.

He said the objective of the walk is to refresh and strengthen the minds of elders and also to raise awareness among society on issues faced by the ageing population and also their rights.

The participant elders are also expected to display various cultural and entertaining programmes during the walk to delight onlookers who come to greet them.

HASL Head of Programme Chaminda de Silva said a group of students attached to the Demography Department of the University of Colombo will join the walk and invite people also to join the parade and extend their love and kindness towards older people.

Senior citizens will also take part in various activities and cultural programmes at the Kalutara District Secretariat auditorium following the Walk.