Social Support and Social Security of Elderly Population in Sri Lanka
H.R. Anulawathie Menike

Abstract
Elderly Population in Sri Lanka is increasing rapidly with the decline of fertility and mortality rate which will become one of the most critical challenges in the future. The main objective of this study is to examine the role of the government, private sector and the volunteer organizations and its adequacy regarding socio-economic security of the increasing rate of elderly population in Sri Lanka. While using secondary data for the study, descriptive analysis method was adapted to analyze the data. It was revealed that from recently, governmental and non- governmental organizations of Sri Lanka are launching various programs for the welfare of the elderly population in the country. Although non-governmental organizations like ‘Help age’ are carrying out valuable services for the welfare of the elderly population; it is not adequate for the increasing rate of elderly population as expected in the future. While there is a tendency of an increase in the Pension payments of retired government servants, present government pension scheme and the provident fund scheme of the private sector are not sufficient to meet the demand of the rapidly increasing percentage of elders in Sri Lanka. Although a small percentage of lower class elders are in receipt of social security benefits, it is not adequate even to meet the expenses of their daily food requirements. On the other hand, even the government pensioners are facing difficulties with the increasing rate of cost of living.

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