All news: Sri Lanka

Second World Summit for Social Development

World leaders renew commitments to social protection for migrant workers across the Gulf, South Asia and Africa

A landmark gathering at the Second World Summit for Social Development united policymakers and social partners from the three regions to advance joint action on extending social protection to millions of migrant workers.

International Year of Cooperatives

ILO meets with the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development of Sri Lanka

Discussions focused on revitalizing cooperative policy, enhancing market access, and piloting innovative value chain solutions.

Global Coalition for Social Justice

Asia-Pacific advances agenda for living wages

Regional dialogue strengthens commitment to inclusive wage-setting aligned with ILO principles.

OpEd

Shaping the living wage agenda: Asia-Pacific’s call to action

OpEd by Kaori Nakamura-Osaka, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

South Asian trade union youth leaders unite for safer and healthier workplaces

Young trade union leaders from across South Asia have pledged a joint action on occupational safety and health (OSH) at a regional ILO-ACTRAV conference

Care economy

Model by-laws unveiled as cooperative department commits to promote nationwide care cooperatives

With the aim of expanding quality, affordable care services and creating decent jobs—especially for women, this initiative will promote formalization of care work in Sri Lanka and empower cooperatives with clear governance frameworks.

Press Release

ILO and Japan launch project to expand social protection in Sri Lanka

New initiative strengthens unemployment, maternity, and pension schemes while extending coverage to informal and care economy workers through a gender-transformative approach.

Regional workshop

Building capacity, advancing rights: ILO boosts South Asia’s advocacy on maternity protection

The ILO’s Training of Trainers programme in Sri Lanka empowered a regional cohort to advocate for stronger maternity protection policies. The initiative aims to support the development of inclusive, gender-responsive social protection systems across...

Inclusive solidarity

Social and solidarity economy entities deliver inclusive, community-driven care solutions

The ILO webinar highlights country experiences and practical tools to advance gender-responsive care services through the social and solidarity economy.

Press Release

UN public service day highlights importance of inclusive dialogue in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery

A high-level panel discussion underscored the power of inclusive social dialogue in strengthening Sri Lanka’s public sector. Experts emphasized trust-building, dispute prevention, and strengthening institutions as keys to delivering better public...

Press Release

Policy dialogue targets growth in Sri Lanka's Northern Province

Stakeholders discuss practical steps to unlock the region’s economic growth potential.

Press Release

Growing resilience in Sri Lanka’s north: ILO launches a new project with support from Australia and Norway

Focusing on creating lasting and inclusive employment through climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture, social empowerment, and market system development, the initiative will be implemented from 2025 - 2028.

Care Economy

Unlocking the potential of care cooperatives in Sri Lanka

The Department of Cooperatives and ILO launch landmark initiative to advance the care economy in Sri Lanka through cooperative models. Key events and learning opportunities brought together stakeholders to explore how care cooperatives can drive...

Empowering South Asia’s Youth for a Greener Future: ILO and UNICEF held a regional webinar on Skills for Green Jobs

The webinar spotlighted the urgent need to equip South Asia’s youth with skills required for a just transition to environmentally sustainable economies

Photo-story

Revising the formulas for dispute resolution in Sri Lanka’s education sector

Sri Lanka’s education sector has high literacy and enrolment, but faces deep challenges worsened by crises. The ILO is promoting workplace forums to resolve disputes and improve equity, labour peace, and service delivery in key sectors.

Revising the formulas for dispute resolution in Sri Lanka’s education sector

Sri Lanka's vast and complex education sector boasts high-literacy rates and near universal enrolment, yet faces  deep-rooted challenges and systemic gaps, worsened by COVID-19 and economic crises. In any such multifaceted system, disputes can...

Video

Sri Lanka’s next generation of women seafarers are ready to set sail

Vulnerable and marginalized Sri Lankan youth, including women, are learning how to become seafarers, thanks to an ILO work-based learning programme, funded by the Government of Japan.

Strengthening Sri Lankan employers in uncertain times: Key takeaways from the 2024 Employers' Symposium

ILO's new Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific takes office

Kaori Nakamura-Osaka serves as Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the International Labour Organization’s Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand.

Regional Skills Webinar Series

Global experts highlight growing need for core skills amid labour market and demographic shifts

ILO Regional Skills Webinar Series gathers over 120 participants from 30 countries to discuss integrating core skills into education and training systems for inclusive employment and skills-driven growth.