Business
Neglect in elder care; a form of abuse
To live in safety, with dignity and respect is a basic human right, especially during a time when age takes over and one’s body and mind begins to deteriorate. However, elder abuse is one of the most common and inherently one of the most difficult forms of abuse to detect as it can occur not only physically but mentally, in the form of verbal abuse, threat and most of all neglect.
“Elder abuse is defined as physical, emotional and financial harm inflicted upon an elder including exploitation and the neglect of their welfare by people who are directly responsible for their care.” Richard Gould, Director of English Nursing Care, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is at a high risk as the demographic is shifting to being one of the fastest ageing economies in Asia. The North Colombo Teaching Hospital records 38.5% of their out-patients over the age of 65 years at risk of abuse. The survey highlights 45% reporting verbal abuse and neglect. While 5.6% report physical abuse. Nevertheless, a substantial number of elders refrain from reporting such misconduct due to fear, shame or mental illnesses.
Sachini lives with her family abroad. Her elderly mother used to visit her quite often and Sachini used to come down frequently to take care of her. Once the pandemic disrupted all means of travel this wasn’t possible anymore. Sachini’s mother was now being taken care of by a home nurse in Colombo.
“During this time my mother had completely changed. She was once a bubbly and outgoing person who loved to dance and live life to her fullest. She had now become bedridden, unable to speak or even recognise me. She had developed pressure ulcers which were not healing and was given heavy medication without my consent.” says Sachini. Due to the neglect and unprofessional service of the carer who refused to give updates of the elderly’s health and only threatened to leave, Sachini’s mother had become severely ill. Unnecessary medication and unexplained billing was abusive to Sachini’s mother physically and financially.
She was desperate to find another way to help her mother, “I had heard about English Nursing Care from a friend, I gave them a call and shared my concerns, this was one of the best decisions I made for my mother and myself too. They took over my mother in their care and had a team of doctors, a nutritionist, the home nurse and the management networking to get my mother back”
Today, Sachini’s mother’s bedsores have recovered well, she is able to walk and has become her social self again with medications reduced gradually. Through such professional care, communication and transparent billing Sachini’s mind is at ease.
The importance of good elder care
Old age requires engaging and comprehensive care. English Nursing Care understands the significance of this responsibility. Thus, ‘Care plans’ are created by our local experienced Nurse Supervisors and then reviewed, discussed and updated with input from our UK nursing support team. Thorough knowledge on medical history, current medication dosage and emergencies is pivotal. Staff update family on the progress of the client every week or as requested. Nurses at English Nursing care are trained to inculcate the latest methodologies in their practice with focus on delivering quality care with empathy. A review process is held every month to warrant the service given to your loved ones.
With neglect and abuse arrives the unfortunate consequences of dejection, anxiety and hopelessness. Care staff play a crucial role. English Nursing Care is an advocate of celebrating life and takes pride in the holistic service they offer with guaranteed peace of mind for the elderly client as well as family often living far away.
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The government doesn’t have any mechanism to recover the USD 40 billion that was siphoned out of the country illegally from 2008 to 2018 by Sri Lanka’s business elites, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Peradeniya Dr. Kalpa Rajapaksha said.
“Most people think that the IMF loan is a victory for Sri Lanka without knowing its risk factors. These are exceptionally high because one of the main impacts would be for the banking sector whose liquidity is due to weaken on account of high tax impositions and certain economic reforms, Dr. Rajapaksha told The Island Financial Review.
Dr. Rajapaksha added: ‘The tax relief given during President Gotabaya Rajapaksha’s tenure triggered this issue, which cost government coffers more than Rs 450 billion. However, Sri Lanka has to carefully follow IMF recommendations taking its history into consideration. It is said that Greece and Ethiopia and several other countries absolutely failed by following IMF recommendations in the past.
‘We are in the dark as to the method of economic recovery because the government is attending to deeper, burning issues in the country, such as reduction of poverty and ending economic inequities.
‘The imposition of heavy taxes on people, especially professionals, via a wealth tax and a heritage tax by 2025 and the increasing of direct taxes, such as VAT, on low income classes, without taking into account the need for a wage hike, will iraise the poverty level and widen wealth inequalities.
‘Inflation at the global level is very high and strategies are required to increase exports and cut down the heavy import dependency of the economy. This is a prerequisite to address all economic woes.
‘The previous ruling party squandered and stole billions of dollars but the present government not having any plan to recover that money is a tragedy. Therefore, promoting neo- liberal principles is impossible under the current corruption scenario.
‘Further, the IMF has set the target of reducing the debt to GDP ratio to 0.7 per cent in 2023, along with their recommendations. Many people doubt the achievability of these aims.’
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE trading got off to a positive start but later turned negative yesterday due to huge selling pressure. The reasons being investor worries over a domestic debt restructuring mechanism after having secured the IMF loan and the negative global scenario when it comes to the banking sector, market analysts said.
According to analysts, during the last week strategically important banks in the global economic system went through credit default swaps, especially Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Credit Suisse Group AG. But another leading European Corporate Bank possibly facing a credit default swap, created some ripple effects for economies like Sri Lanka, analysts said.
The All- Share Price Index went down by 134.1 points and S and P SL20 declined by 51.6 points. Turnover stood at Rs 871 million with two crossings. Those crossings were reported in NDB, which crossed 1.2 million shares to the tune of Rs 51.6 million; its shares traded at Rs 43 and Aitken Spence 772,000 shares crossed for Rs 47.1 million, its shares traded at Rs 61.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, SLT Rs 82 million (717,000 shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 52.8 million (8.2 million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 50.1 million (298,000 shares traded), Tokyo Cement (Non- Voting) Rs 36.5 million (388,000 shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 33.6 million (251,000 shares traded), ALC Cables Rs 33.3 million (406,000 shares traded) and Sunshine Holdings Rs 27.2 million (633,000 shares traded). During the day 45.4 million share volumes changed hands in 15000 transactions.
The market is generating revenue from SLT over news of it being divested; moreover, there has been interest for the hotel and tourism indexes, since tourist arrivals and earnings have been attractive, an analyst said.
It is said that Treasury bond yields opened steady on Monday, while the rupee opened weaker at spot market, dealers said.
A 01.07.2025 bond was quoted at 30.75/31.00 per cent on Monday, up from 30.90/31.20 per cent on Friday. A 15.09.2027 bond was quoted at 28.00/70 per cent, up from 28.00/50 per cent from Friday. The Sri Lanka rupee opened at 322/325 against the US dollar, weaker from 320/325 a day earlier.
Business
Holding ‘Raid Amazones’ for second consecutive year in SL, a rare honour for her – Head of Marketing Srilankan Airlines
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
More than 250 female French athletes arrived in Sri Lanka for the challenging ‘Raid Amazones’ adventure event that took place last week in Kandy. They arrived in Sri Lanka for the second consecutive year, which was a big achievement for the country when it comes to the tourism sector, Head of Marketing SriLankan Airlines Saminda Perera said.
“For the first time in ‘Raid Amazones’ history they selected one country for two consecutive years, which could be considered a great honour for Sri Lanka. This would enable more French tourists to arrive in Sri Lanka in the future, Perera told the media recently during the event in Kandy. ‘Raid Amazones’ will hit the streets of the fabled hill capital, Kandy, with the participation of over 250 female athletes.
‘Raid Amazones’ is a well-known annual destination adventure event originating in France, which features female athletes competing their way through a range of challenges, such as, orienteering, mountain biking, canoeing, riding, running and archery.
“Sri Lanka was chosen over rival destinations by the event’s founders due to the unparalleled warmth of its people and support on the ground to pull off a successful event. Their decision is also due to SriLankan Airlines’ tireless marketing efforts to secure the popular trail on successive occasions for Sri Lanka in its hour of need for international tourism support, Perera said.
Saminda Perera
Tourism sources added: “During the 21st edition of the trail, the participants will be able to connect with a potpourri of natural and historical highlights as they trek through the Kandyan plateau in Central Sri Lanka.
“Their journey, though, would begin from the moment that they step onboard SriLankan Airlines to fly from Paris to Colombo, on an aircraft dedicated to ‘Raid Amazones 2023’.
“Named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kandy, the iconic setting of ‘Raid Amazones 2023’, is renowned for two of the most recognizable cultural symbols that define Sri Lanka.
“SriLankan Airlines partnered Raid Amazones in 2022 soon after recommencing operations to Paris.
“SriLankan Airlines, together with Connaissance de Ceylan, the official ground- handling partner of the event, will go all out to ensure that the French group experiences the best in Sri Lankan hospitality.
“This event will especially help create more awareness of Sri Lanka as an adventure travel hotspot among French travellers and the rest of Europe, where ‘Raid Amazones’ is sought-after and attracts adventure-seekers.”
Cabinet gives green light to develop Sigiriya as a sustainable tourism destination
Cabinet approves incorporation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Agriculture
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