The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya welcomed Ms. Joni Simpson, Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), for a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting underscored the ongoing collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ILO, with a focus on advancing labor standards, women’s empowerment, and social dialogue.

Ms. Simpson expressed appreciation for the support extended by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Labour, emphasizing potential areas for deepening partnership efforts. Key points of discussion included the critical need to review labor laws to better protect vulnerable groups, especially women, and the necessity of addressing the gender pay gap and creating quality job opportunities for women.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Asitha Seneviratne, ILO Programme Officer, alongside Sri Lankan government representatives, including Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Mahinda Gunarathne, Additional Secretary, Mr. B. Vasanthan, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, and Ms. Dilini Gunasekara, Director of United Nations and Human Rights.