Public opinion is being sought to amend the regulations governing elders homes in a bid to streamline them, the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry Secretary, Sampath Manthrinayake said.

Responding to questions from The Daily Morning, Manthrinayake said yesterday (12) that the aim is to collect public opinions on strengthening the criteria of conducting elders’ homes and the setting up of new ones.

“Once opinions are gathered, either amendments would be introduced or the regulations would be amended inclusive of the ideas that are given. The new legislation would be gazetted subsequently,” he noted. Manthrinayake noted that there is already an Act to protect the rights of elders that had been formulated in early 2000 and subsequently the Protection of the Rights of Elders (Amendment) Act, No. 5 of 2011 was enacted.

He noted that amendments would be introduced to the Act as well and that measures had been taken to make related submissions to the Legal Draftsman.  “We already have the criteria which we abide by with regard to elders’ homes. However, following a lapse of several years, there is a need to amend the existing regulations in order to accommodate the latest requirements”.