All news: Sri Lanka

Our impact, Their voices

Coconuts, commitment and changing circumstances

Coco chips are widely used by farmers and gardeners. The ILO’s LEED+ project works with the private sector and local communities in Sri Lanka to develop coco chips as a mutually beneficial business.

Garment sector in Asia and the Pacific

Women hit hard by COVID-19 impact on garment sector

A new brief highlights COVID-19 impacts on women and men workers in the garment sector and recommendations for a gender-responsive recovery.

News update

Delivering essential personal protective equipment to micro and small enterprises – keeping workplaces safe and healthy

International Labour Organization (ILO) together with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), purchased and kick- started the delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth 47 million Sri Lankan Rupees.

News update

ILO’s LEED+ Expands Private Sector Partnerships with Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) & Alli Foods Pvt Ltd

Supporting livelihoods and strengthening supply-chains during COVID-19

Garment sector in Asia and the Pacific

Asia-Pacific garment industry suffers as COVID-19 impact ripples through supply chain

Collapsing consumer demand, government lockdown measures and disruptions to raw material imports have taken their toll on the Asia Pacific garment industry, says a new ILO report.

News update

A policy journey towards the elimination of Child Labour in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has made a significant progress in combating child labour that can be attributed to its well-placed strong welfare policies. This piece of article was prepared for a symposium titled ' A policy journey towards the elimination of Child...

Social health protection

ILO partnership: Mahidol University and the ILO launch specialised Master’s Program developed to advance Social Health Protection in Asia

To strengthen the capacity of Social Health Protection (SHP) professionals in Asia, a Master’s Program in Primary Health Care Management and Social Health Protection has been launched at Mahidol University, Thailand.

ILO COOP 100 Interview

ILO COOP 100 Interview with Mr. Upali Herath, a cooperative practitioner from Sri Lanka

Established in March 1920, the ILO’s Cooperatives Unit marks its Centenary in 2020. On this occasion, the ILO COOP 100 Interview series features past and present ILO colleagues and key partners who were closely engaged in the ILO's work on...

News update

International Cooperative Day 2020: COOPS for Climate Action

The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on the first Saturday of July every year.

Op-Ed for World Day Against Child Labour 2020

“A time of crisis, a time to act”

"We will indeed take definitive action to ensure our future will be one that is absent of child labour". An opinion editorial by Ms Simrin Singh, Country Director, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

ILO COOP 100 Interview

Interview with Robby Tulus, ex-ICA AP Regional Director, cooperative consultant

Established in March 1920, the ILO’s Cooperatives Unit marks its Centenary in 2020. On this occasion, the ILO COOP 100 Interview series features past and present ILO colleagues and key partners who were closely engaged in the ILO's work on...

News update

Recognising contributions of migrant workers

To celebrate ten years of working on safe labour migration, the ILO together with Helvetas Sri Lanka, and the Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka, hosted an event titled ‘Recognising contribution of migration workers, strengthening safe labour...

Promoting Decent Work in Sri Lanka

Decent Work Country Programme task force meets in Jaffna

The 6th Task Force meeting of Sri Lanka's Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2018- 2022 was chaired by Mr. D.M.S. Abeyagunawardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, with the participation of the...

Press release

The Maldives Celebrates the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Century of Advancing Social Justice and Decent Work

The centenary celebrations were graced by His H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of the Maldives.

ILO holds Job Fair for persons with disabilities

ILO/ LEED+ or the Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation Project launched in September 2018 in Sri Lanka. Building on more than eight years of work by ILO and multiple stakeholders, the programme promotes resilient,...

Our impact, Their voices

Sweet dreams are made of sugar and spice

The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs: Women of the Northern Province are stimulating a culture of entrepreneurship

Sri Lankan women improve their livelihoods through cooperatives in the groundnut value chain

Two women producers supported by the ILO LEED+ project share their stories on how they increased their income through cooperatives in the groundnut value chain.

Let them fly, don’t clip their wings !

Ridma Weerawardena is the latest musician from around the world to join the ILO’s Global Music Against Child Labour Initiative. The song is his contribution to the global and Sri Lankan fight to end child labour

Our impact, their voices

Water is wealth for Sri Lankan farmers

The legacy of conflict combined with climate change brought drought and impending disaster to northern Sri Lankan farmers. An ILO project helped to restore water and put them back on the road to a more prosperous life.

Press release

ILO facilitates symposium to update Operational Manual for Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions, enhancing protection and welfare for Sri Lankan...

The ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and Maldives in partnership with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), facilitated a three-day symposium on ‘Enhancing protection and welfare for Sri Lankan migrant workers abroad’ on 18th – 20th...