Crackdown On Unregistered Elderly Care Facilities Underway, Ministry to Enforce Standards

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment says action will be taken on elderly care homes operating illegally without registration.

Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage stated 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 have 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, 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.

He added that investigations and post-mortem examinations relating to those who died in the incident are underway.