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SL among countries with fastest-growing elderly populations in Asia

Published

6 months ago

2025/10/31

… one in every four Sri Lankans expected to be aged 60 or above by 2040

Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the Asian countries with the fastest-growing elderly populations, according to health authorities.

Consultant Community Physician Dr. Nishani Ubeysekara said the proportion of elderly citizens in Sri Lanka had risen sharply over the past decade, from 12% in 2012 to 18% in 2024.

Speaking at a media briefing organised by the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Ubeysekara noted that projections indicated a further increase, with one in every four Sri Lankans expected to be aged 60 or above by 2040.

“According to the 2012 census, 12% of Sri Lanka’s population were aged 60 years and above. In the 2024 census, this has risen to 18%.

By 2040, we expect around 25% of the population, one in four people, to be elderly,” she said.

She attributed the demographic shift to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates, adding that compared to other Asian nations, Sri Lanka was among those with the fastest rate of population ageing.

Consultant Geriatrician Dr. Sithira Seneviratne of the National Hospital, Colombo highlighted the growing medical concern of falls among older adults, which are now being recognised as a disease condition linked to frailty.

“Falls are considered part of the process of ageing, but it’s not,” she said. “We now recognise falls as a medical condition. Treatment usually focuses on the injury, but we must also identify the underlying cause, often frailty which can be prevented or managed.”

She warned that falls could lead to severe injuries and even death, urging early diagnosis and management of frailty to reduce related complications.

Health experts say the rapid growth of Sri Lanka’s elderly population will require stronger community health systems, elder care services, and public awareness to ensure healthy ageing in the years ahead.

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

13 mins ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.

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Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate

Published

54 mins ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

(File pic)

Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).

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CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict

Published

5 hours ago

2026/05/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

CJ Surasena

‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’

Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.

Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.

‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.

Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.

Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.

By Shamindra Ferdinando