There are 31 ILO conventions ratified by Sri Lanka, which includes the eight core conventions. The Government of Sri Lanka in 2009 expressed its willingness to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), The Seafarer Identity Documents Convention (C108) and the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C155).
The ILO Office work with the Government of Sri Lanka and the social partners on follow up to the following conventions:
- Conventions 81, 87 & 98 - Under the Project on Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in Sri Lanka.
- Convention 155 – on the work with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and amendments and drafting of required legislation on occupational safety and health.
- Conventions 100 & 111 – On work with the Government of Sri Lanka and the social partners on gender and related activities.
- Conventions 108 & MLC – On work with the Government and social partners on provision of legal amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act.
- Conventions 29, 105 & 182 - On work with the Government and the social partners on issues relating to trafficking of persons.
- Convention 122 – On follow up on the National Employment Policy by the Government of Sri Lanka and work carried under the ILO Youth Employment Project.
- Conventions 138 & 182 – On work with the Government of Sri Lanka and the social partners in conducting research, surveys and studies on child labour related activities.
- Convention 159 – though not ratified by Sri Lanka, on work carried out in promoting employment opportunities for the disabled.
- ILO Multilateral Framework on Migration – though not a convention itself, the framework was used as the basis for the formulation of the National Labour Migration Policy for Sri Lanka.
- ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS – though not a convention itself, has been the base document in working with the social partners on HIV/AIDS related activities.