News
Unregistered Homes for the Aged cause for concern: Social Services Director
View(s):102nd Annual General Meeting of the Mallika Niwasa Samithiya (Society) Ltd
The number of unregistered Homes for the Aged in the Western Province alone is almost thrice the number of the 96 registered Homes, Director of the Social Services Department of the Western Province, Sewwandi Hettiarachchi said this week.
Speaking at the 102nd Annual General Meeting of the Mallika Niwasa Samithiya (Society) Ltd., she said the quality of service at these unregistered Homes was a matter of concern to the Department, and complimented the ladies of the Mallika Niwasa for the voluntary service they were providing for the elderly in need of care and that it was a source of strength to the government.
President of the Mallika Nivasa Samithiya (Society) Ltd Aruni Seneviratne and Consultant Physician of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital Dr Dilhar Samaraweera garlanding the portrait of Founder Mallika Hewavitarne. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe
Consultant Physician of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital Dr Dilhar Samaraweera who graced the occasion along with Ms Hettiarachchi and the Commissioner of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services of the Western Province, Peshala Abeysooriya, spoke to the inmates of the Home and explained why one lives, and what one needs to do in order to live happily till the end of life. Referring to this phase as the “Rajatha Viya,” he said that there’s no end to learning as we continue to learn each day. “We need to spend our time in happiness until the end of life”, he said reminding them not to be a hindrance to the happiness of another.
Re-elected as President of the society, Aruni Seneviratne pointed out a major issue faced by orphaned children in the care of the Society as they do not have permission to care for these children once they reach the age of 18. Reading from an extract of an article published in The Sunday Times, she highlighted the need for school leavers to undergo vocational training.
“We can provide vocational training or provide job opportunities if a place of stay is provided,” she said.
Another concern raised by Ms Seneviratne was the long delay for children to receive birth certificates and National IDs, and requested the Department of Probation to take measures to quicken the process. She further highlighted that even fundamental rights such as voting are withdrawn from them as a result.
The society established on October 9, 1920 was founded by the mother of Anagarika Dharmapala, Mallika Hewavitarne and currently consists of over 700 life members.
The Mallika Home came to life to care for elderly women in February the following year (1921). Initially caring for two elderly women, the Home has now branched out to various locations to care for children as well as dementia patients. The Parakrama Child Development Centre, Sneha Child Development Centre, Seth Medura and Seth Sevana (1 and 2) along with their Dementia Care Centre render care to the frail, youth and children alike. Today, the Mallika Home houses 65 elderly women.
Two members, Indrani Munasinha and Chitra Hewavitarne who are a part of the society for 60 and 50 years respectively were felicitated.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!