In the welcome address given by Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa he said “Today we are handing over the first completed cluster of 25 houses constructed with donations from the Disasters Emergency Committee, UK through HelpAge International and Help the Aged UK. We hope to continue to work with the senior citizens who have received these houses to further improve their standard of living”.
Mr. Paul Cann, Director - Policy, Research & International Affairs of Help the Aged UK praised Sri Lanka’s efforts to uplift the quality of life of its senior citizens and said that HtA was happy to be part of this reconstruction project.
The cluster which commenced its construction on 22nd of March 2006 marks the handing over of the first completed cluster of a series of 10 clusters. All ten clusters will have 25 houses each plus their own Community Centre. HelpAge is the only organization building houses concentrating on vulnerable and marginalized elders and their families.

The HASL tsunami programme is funded by the British public through the Disasters Emergency Committee, Help the Aged UK (HtA) and HelpAge International.

A total of 750 senior males and 1,465 senior females actively participated in the senior citizens day celebrations in the southern parts of Sri Lanka. A Cultural and Talent Show was organized by our local partner Rekewa Development Foundation to stage talents of senior citizens in the area. The show comprised of theatrical pieces, song and dance, poem and instrumental melodies. Performances included folk

tales around Andhare, Gajaman nona etc. The event provided an excellent

opportunity for members to showcase their talents and enjoy the day with people of similar interests.The show was organised in the hope of sharing true traditionsand cultures with younger members in society.Volunteers from Visura Development Foundation organised a field day to provide essential services to senior citizens such as cutting their hair, giving a clean shave, cutting nails and educating them on personal hygiene etc,. in Wattegama villages. The programme continued till 4th

older-people. The SCC members identified 15 senior citizens who have made significant contributions to the society and were honoured with mementos.The gathering organised by our local partner Wallawe Kantha Sangamaya on Senior Citizens Day comprised of grassroot level government staff, Social Welfare Officers, teachers, civil society and religious leaders and more than 650 senior citizens. Activities included a

HelpAge Sri Lanka celebrated the International Day of the Senior citizens on 1st October 2006 at the BMICH Colombo with speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara as the chief guest of the event and the theme for this year’s celebration was “Meeting the challenges of ageing”. The event started with a walk from the Independence Square to the BMICH where senior citizens carried banners which highlighted their rights.

HASL launched a mobile health and eye care unit, which intends to serve the vulnerable older people in remote villages where medicine facilities are available. The Speaker, W.J.M. Lokubandara addressing the gathering stated that it’s natural for any human to grow old. “What concerns most is how we accept old age and face the natural challenges of old age. Once again it’s our responsibility to provide protection and help our elders. HelpAge throughout the years have found the right theme and social policy to help the older person”, the Speaker said. This Programme also included a drama presented by the All Women’s Buddhist Congress and a dance by the Bambalapitiya Mallika Elders Home.