HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) recently organized an `Elders Walk’ at the Kataragama sacred city to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons this year.
The event was conducted by HelpAge jointly with National Elders Secretariet, Divisional Secretariet, Kartaragama and Moneragala District Secretariat.
It was a very happy day for over 600 elders as they keenly participated in the walk. The walk commenced at 8.30 am from Kataragama Bus Stand and ended at Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya premises.
The elders were between the age group of 60- 88 and the walk was conducted under the theme `The Journey to Age Equality ’. HASL, Chairman, Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa said ageing is a challenge in today’s world and this is an opportunity for them to highlight their contributions made to the society in the past.
The walk was witnessed by devotees and foreign nationals who were on their way to the sacred devalaya. Elders carried placards and flags with enchanting slogans.
HelpAge Council Member, Nishantha Goonaratne who keenly paraded the streets along with elders mentioned that everybody should extend their love, kindness and care for elders and stand against any discrimination and abuse for them.
HelpAge Executive Director, Samantha Liyanawaduge said the objective of this annual Elders Walk is to raise awareness on issues faced by the ageing population.
He said 99 per cent Sri Lankan elders are still living within their family circle and only one percent receiving the institutional care in Elders Homes. He made a request from youngsters to keep their elders with them without sending them to Elders Homes during their twilight days.
HelpAge Programme Manager, Chaminda de Silva highlighted that this nature of celebrations help to strengthen the inborn talents of elders. Elders also took part in entertaining programmes at Devala Auditorium. They conducted a special bodi pooja and a deva pooja to bestow blessings on elders.
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