Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage stated that comprehensive guidelines have already been prepared and will be submitted to Provincial Councils for approval. The proposed framework will make registration mandatory for all elders’ homes, enabling authorities to monitor operations more effectively and ensure appropriate standards of care.
According to the Minister, 455 elders’ homes are currently registered nationwide, providing care for more than 10,000 elderly residents. However, he noted that several institutions continue to operate without official registration.
The announcement comes in the wake of the deadly fire at the Batagoda Elders’ Home in Anguruwatota. The blaze, which broke out on Wednesday, claimed the lives of 12 residents and injured eight others.
Minister Pannilage said the government has already taken steps to support those affected by the tragedy. The Director of the National Secretariat for Elders visited the site and initiated assistance measures for displaced residents.
Meanwhile, the director of the elders’ home has been remanded until June 11 after being produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court. Authorities have confirmed that the institution had been operating without official registration.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Officials expect the proposed regulations to help prevent similar incidents in the future by ensuring that all elders’ homes comply with safety and operational standards.
