"The objective of this article is...to examine the demographic characteristics and emergence of new challenges of the fast growing elderly population in Sri Lanka." Results indicate that "the combination of low fertility and increased survival in Sri Lanka during the last four decades ensures that there will be large and rapid increases in the elderly population. Although the traditional family support system for the elderly still exists, modernization has an adverse impact on the care and support traditionally provided by families.... The study examines possible socio-economic implications of ageing to enable policy makers to be prepared for problems that are likely to emerge."