Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage said that legal action will be taken against the Elders’ Home in Batagoda, Horana, which was hosting elders without registering with the Elders’ General Secretariat.
The Minister said that if an elder’s home is being run that hosts five or more elders, that institution should be registered with the National Elders’ General Secretariat, but this institution does not have such registration and that an investigation will be conducted into the purpose for which it was maintained.
He said this while addressing the media after participating as the chief guest at the 10th National Commemoration Ceremony of the Development Officers’ Service Association held at Sahas Uyana, Kandy yesterday (05).
The Minister stated that 08 adults over the age of 60 and nearly fifty people with disabilities were detained at this place and that an investigation is underway into the purpose for which this detention center was maintained.
The Minister said that judicial investigation reports are being obtained on the deceased, a full investigation will be conducted with the intervention of the police into this institution that was maintained without full approval and that necessary further legal action is being taken.
The Minister stated that an investigation should be conducted into such institutions that are being run illegally and that it is the responsibility of citizens to be more careful about whether it is a registered institution if their relative is being kept in such a place for money or in any way. The Minister also pointed out that if it is difficult for them to take care of their parents or other close relatives, they can be kept in a government registered detention center with the legal assistance of the court.
Nadeeka Daya Bandara – From Kandy.