THE SILVER TSUNAMI IS COMING — IS SRI LANKA READY?

The World Bank & WHO have identified Sri Lanka as the country with the fastest aging population in the world.
By 2030: 20% of our population will be 60+ — that's 1 in every 5 persons.
By 2045: It will be 25% — 1 in every 4 persons.
By 2030: More than 5 MILLION elders in Sri Lanka.
This is the Silver Tsunami. Its economic impact could be greater than the 2004 Tsunami.
What does it mean?
Decline in productive workforce
Direct hit to GDP
Thousands of elders living alone as children migrate for work/studies
Urgent need for care, safety, and economic security for seniors
The Solution is not to fear aging — but to plan for it.
We need:
Active Aging Programs - eyesight restoration, NCD care, economic empowerment
Smart Job Segregation - light jobs (expressway ticketing, three-wheelers, supervision) for capable elders, heavy jobs for youth
A National Care Industry - At least 50,000 elders will need daily personal care by 2030. We need a trained, dignified, NVQ-qualified care workforce to support them.
This cannot be done by the Government alone. It needs Government + Private Sector + Families + Training Institutes (NAITA, VTA, TVEC) working together through Public-Private Partnerships.
Our elders built this country. Now it's our duty to ensure they live with dignity, care, and security.
The time to build the Care Industry is NOW. 2030 is only 4 years away.
By Mr. Samantha Liyanawaduge