SRI LANKA: National Federation of Senior Citizens Has Over 400,000 Members

ANURADHAPURA, Sri Lanka (Daily News), January 21, 2008: The membership of the National Federation of Senior Citizens of Sri Lanka has exceeded 400,000 since its formation in August 2007. During the period 45,000 applications were received seeking life membership. This organisation established at the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is open to citizens over 45 years of age islandwide. Once the membership reaches 100,000 district and divisional offices will be opened to expand the movement to benefit the Senior citizens and for facilitating its activities,” said Vajira Hirugalbandara the Coordinating Director (Public Relations) attached to the Presidential Secretariat. He was addressing a large gathering of senior citizens representating 23 Divisional Secretariat divisions in Anuradhapura district at the special meeting convened to initiate the formation of the District Steering Committee of the Federation. The conference was held at the auditorium of the Chief Ministry Anuradhapura. Explaining the structure of the new organisation Hirugalbandara said that the monthly fee for a member will be Rs. 50. Those who wished to become life members could get life membership having deposited Rs. 5,000. The federation would invest such deposits and the bank interest will be used to form a beneficiary fund to activate various welfare schemes to give relief to the needy senior citizens. He said initially Rs. 100,000 gratuity will be paid to a member undergoing heart surgery. Every senior citizen who gets life membership would be offered a telephone free. The tour agencies have consented to charge only half of their travel packages to visit ‘Dambadiva’ (India) on pilgrimages, from the batches of senior citizens. Hirugalbandara said those who are appointed to various ranks of the organisation will have to be recommended by the Grama Niladari, the Divisional Secretary, the OIC of the relevant police station and the Chief Incumbent of the village temple or other religious leaders vouching for the good character of such persons. The membership card issued to every member would be respected and given priority at all governmental and non governmental institutions in fulfilling the requirements of the holders, Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said that only retired Government employees had the opportunity to join pensioners societies. But resulting from the establishment of the National Federation of Senior Citizens of Sri Lanka in par with the Mahinda Chinthana even farmers, traders, self employed entrepreneurs, private sector employees and in short any civilian over 45 years could join the organisation which assures State intervention and a package of incentives with a range of benefits. He emphasised that in the wake of bringing permanent peace to the country under the farsighted leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, it is a good omen the citizens over 45 are being offered shelter under such a vast well planned organisation. The senior citizens from the level of a labourer to the top level executive could submit their views and ideas to the Government with regard to various strategies to end the conflict to bring about peace. By Nimal Wijeshinghe Copyright © 2006 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.