In Focus

A special day for senior citizens

Today, world-wide, there are around 600 million persons aged 60 years and over; this total will double by 2025 and will reach virtually two billion by 2050 - the vast majority of them in the developing world.Sri Lanka is said to have the fastest aging population in Asia and it is important that we focus attention on how to care for this aging population.

The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Older Persons which is celebrated annually on October 1 to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives is indeed an ideal time to do so..International Day of Older Persons is a special day for older persons or senior citizens all over the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO), which is the UN's directing and coordinating authority for health related issues, and other groups have been actively involved in promoting public awareness and attention on the International Day of Older Persons. Discussions are centered on topics such as: aging populations and the provision of adequate healthcare for aged persons; volunteer work; social care; and ways to be more inclusive of older persons in the workforce.

On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly made October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons, following up on initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Aging and endorsed later that year by the assembly.

The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on October 1, 1991. In 1991 the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.

In 2002 the second World Assembly on Aging adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population aging in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.

[News briefs]

by Rohana JAYALAL

A mega kotthu roti

The biggest ever kottu roti was made at the Kandy City Centre recently,said a Kandy Hotel School source. Fifty chefs under the skilful guidance of the popular chef Dr. Pubilis Silva made this mega kotthu rotti. The Kandy Hotel School and other hotels in the historic city sponsored the event.

Another graphite deposit

A graphite deposit has been found in a village in Nuwara Eliya. The discovery was made in Norton Bridge, Hatton. It is expected to give a further boost to the country's economy. The graphite deposit was discovered from a land at Jambutenne in Norton BridgeThe National Geological and Mines Bureau has decided to initiate the granting of licences for legal mining, after securing an examination report from a group of officials attached to the bureau.

Moves to regulate use of horns

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) plans to formulate a set of laws to regulate the use of horns in vehicles.

The Chairman of the Authority, Charitha Herath said that the general public was being inconvenienced as a result of the noise generated by blaring horns in vehicles. He went on to say that at present there are no laws relating to the use of horns.