Then the debtors closed in. And the aged couple having no one to depend on- their children had migrated ended in running to the Social Services Department for help. She said that a letter sent to People's Bank, requesting assistance to help the couple in the form of a bank loan, went unanswered. Her suggestion is that the couple leave their rented house and live in an old people's home, save up the pension money and pay back the loans. At his age, when the society and country should make his burden's lighter, de Silva has to live hiding from his debtors.
Old age is a problem.
It brings with it a number of concerns ranging from care and shelter for the aged, pensions, health and medicine costs. According to very conservative figures our population of 60-over will increase from the present 9 percent to 22 percent in year 2031. In actual numbers this would mean a staggering increase from 1.6 million in 1996 to 5 million in 2031. The problem of 'population ageing at the top' is common in developed countries where better health facilities have guaranteed longevity and slowed population growth. And it has steadily increased.