HelpAge Elders’ Walk at Divulapitiya on October 6

The Elders’ Walk , annually conducted by HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) to coincide with the `International Day of Older Persons (IDOP)- 2020’ will be held on a grand scale at Divulapitiya in Gampaha on October 6, commencing at 9.00 am .

This years parade is conducted by HelpAge jointly with the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretariet and the Senior Citizens Federation of Divulapitiya. The University of Colombo, Demography Department , will also assist the Elders Walk. Over 500 elders between the age group of 60 to 90 years will attend the parade.

During the parade all elders will wear special attire, provided by HelpAge Sri Lanka. They will carry placards titled “Age is not a barrier to lead an active role in life”.

HASL, Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge who plays a major role in the Elders’ Walk organizing committee highlighted that HelpAge is one of the leading social welfare organizations working for Senior Citizens in the country.

“We have been engaged in elders’ annual walks during the last several years with the objective of strengthening elderly citizens living in all parts of the country,”

He said HelpAge provides free cataract surgeries to all needy elders every day except public holidays at HelpAge Eye Hospital, Wellawatta and also various disabled equipment including spectacles, wheel chairs, crutches, hearing aids to needy elders free of charge.

HelpAge, chairman, Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa said celebrating the `International Day of Older Persons’ is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions made by older people to society.

Executive Director Liyanawaduge further said the objective of conducting the Walk is to raise awareness on the issues of elders and demanding their rights and entitlements for them to live with dignity.

All elders will thereafter take part in activities, such as singing, dancing and performing in stage dramas at the DS office conference hall.