The planning and implementation of programmes for the well-being of the elderly require information and answers from reliable data sources and well-founded research. Policy decisions become effective when they are based on the evidence of research. Therefore, evidence-based care for the elderly has an impotant influence on the welfare of the elderly. Research undertaken on the elderly population of Sri Lanka is very limited and has often not been utilized in the design and formulation of policies to improve the welfare of the elderly. This situation could be improved by a shift in the orientation of research to questions that have a greater bearing on policy. The paper reviews some of the important research undertaken on the elderly population of Sri Lanka and identifies research and data gaps. It recommends policy oriented research be given priority by strengthening institutional and coordinating mechanisms for research. **Editor's Note: This publication 'Ageing Population in Sri Lanka' was initiated by Dr. A.T.P.L. Abeykoon when he was the President of the Population Association of Sri lanka.**