The neglect of elders is more common among elders who live alone and in poor households. In a focus group discussion it was revealed that about half the respondents received no financial support from non-resident children. In another study, it was revealed that only about 47 percent of the elderly are visited by relatives.

Homicides as well as suicides of elderly have been on the increase. The underlying cause of some of the suicides has been the result of abuse at the household level. The mortality rate of men aged 65 years and over in Sri Lanka due to intentional self-harm was 92.6 per 100,000 population in 1997, the highest rate in comparison to the younger ages. the corresponding rate of 20.0 for females was also relatively high compared to other ages.

According to unpublished data of the Registrar General's Department, in 1995 there were 133 deaths due to homicides among males over the age of 60 years with a rate of 16.0 per 100,000 population and 47 deaths due to homicide among females in the same age group, giving a rate of 5.8 per 100,000 population. The homicide death rate over 60 years for both males and females combined was reported at 11.0 per 100,000 population for the year 1995.

given the rising elderly population and the rudimentary evidence about elder abuse and neglect in Sri Lanka, it is necessary to undertake studies to objectively assess the extent of the problem and enact laws and formulate policies to eliminate or minimize the abuse and neglect of elders.