During the meeting, Minister Fernando briefed the ILO Director-General on the Sri Lankan Government’s ongoing reforms and programmes aimed at strengthening the country’s labour law framework and social protection systems. He also requested technical assistance from the ILO to support the successful implementation of these initiatives.
The Minister highlighted Sri Lanka’s recent commitment to the ILO’s Convention No. 190 (C190), which seeks to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work. He noted that the Government has already initiated steps to introduce the necessary legal provisions to implement the convention.
Dr. Fernando further stated that the Government is considering accession to Convention No. 188 (C188) on Work in Fishing, with the aim of ensuring decent working conditions and stronger protections for workers in the fisheries sector.
Emphasizing the Government’s priorities, the Minister said that creating a safe, fair, and quality working environment for Sri Lanka’s workforce remains a key objective.
Director-General Houngbo welcomed Sri Lanka’s commitment to labour rights and its recent efforts to align national policies with international labour standards. He expressed appreciation for the country’s progress and reaffirmed the ILO’s readiness to provide technical assistance and advisory support for the implementation of labour reforms.
The meeting underscored the continued cooperation between Sri Lanka and the ILO in advancing workers’ rights, strengthening labour protections, and promoting compliance with international labour standards.
