The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) today (29) launched Colombo’s first Elderly Day Activity Centre at the Nagaswatta Child Community Centre in Kirulapone, providing a dedicated space to support the wellbeing of senior citizens in the city.
The centre will offer a range of activities, including yoga, recreational games, cognitive activities, music and dance, aimed at supporting the physical, mental and social wellbeing of elderly residents.
The programme will initially cater to a selected group of senior citizens from the Nagaswatta area, providing them with opportunities to remain active, interact with others and build social connections within their community.
The initiative was launched by the CMC’s Public Health Department, with the support of the Public Assistance Department, Indigenous Medicine Department, Preventive Health Department and Sports and Recreation Department.
The CMC said the programme was introduced in recognition of the needs of Colombo’s growing elderly population and is intended to provide senior citizens with a safe and supportive environment while strengthening community-based care.
Addressing the launch, Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said the Council has a responsibility to care for the city’s elderly population.
“We understand that you have had difficult lives. We want you to feel that you are not alone. Our job, as the Council, is to care for you and to give you peace,” she said.
The CMC plans to eventually expand the Elderly Day Activity Centre initiative to other parts of Colombo, allowing more senior citizens to access similar community-based facilities. (Newswire)