All resources: Sri Lanka

The care economy and decent work in Sri Lanka: Opportunities, challenges and future trends

Press Release

IOM, ILO, and Government of Japan join hands to promote safe and regular migration, support reintegration and skills enhancement for...

Work based learning

Shifting gears – Sri Lanka’s women crane operators

Upeksha, Nimasha, Ruchini, and Nethmi are among the handful of women transfer crane operators in Sri Lanka's Colombo port. They are participants of ILO supported work-based training programme that's empowering women break stereotypes and take up...

Entrepreneurship

5 booming industries for entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka

Capitalising on the right opportunity and the right time is key to succeeding as an entrepreneur. For youth looking to run their own business, here's a quick snapshot of 5 industries in Sri Lanka that have immense growth potential.

Entrepreneurship

Your burning questions on entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka answered by experts

Being an aspiring youth entrepreneur can be daunting! Randhula de Silva - Founder and CEO of GoodLife X, and Dr Nirmal De Silva - Entrepreneur, Strategy Consultant and Associate Professor in Business, break down the A, B, Cs of starting your own...

New Director for ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives appointed

Ms Joni Simpson assumes duties on 15 January 2024.

Research study on effectiveness of implementation of sub policy and National Action Plan on Return and Reintegration

This research study by the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and Maldives commissioned at the request of the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka, focuses on the experience of Migrant Workers and their families through their return...

Statistical brief

Sri Lanka’s Labour Market during the Economic Crisis of 2022-2023

Why the unemployment rate does not tell the full story

Report

Labour market demand in the Middle East: Prioritized destinations for Sri Lankan migrant workers

The ILO, through the Safe Labour Migration Project, initiated the study on Labour Market Supply and Demand for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers to bridge a knowledge gap in the foreign employment landscape. This analysis identifies where Sri Lankans...

Report

Labour market demand in Asia Pacific: Prioritized destinations for Sri Lankan migrant workers

The ILO, through the Safe Labour Migration Project, initiated the study on Labour Market Supply and Demand for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers to bridge a knowledge gap in the foreign employment landscape. This analysis identifies where Sri Lankans...

Report

Labour market demand in Europe and North America: Prioritized destinations for Sri Lankan migrant workers

The ILO, through the Safe Labour Migration Project, initiated the study on Labour Market Supply and Demand for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers to bridge a knowledge gap in the foreign employment landscape. This analysis identifies where Sri Lankans...

Report

Labour Market Supply and Demand for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers

Bridging a knowledge gap in the foreign employment landscape, the findings and recommendations from this study present a blueprint for shaping a more dignified and rewarding foreign employment labour market for Sri Lankan women and men.

Skills for migrant workers

Unlocking new horizons – Enhancing skills of Sri Lankan migrant workers

For many Sri Lankan returnee and aspirant migrant workers acquiring new skills create new possibilities for stable, and better paying decent work opportunities. ILO supported training programme focused on the care sector is opening a world of...

Sri Lanka takes positive steps towards Ratification of ILO C188 – Work in Fishing Convention, 2007; Draft regulations presented to Minister...

Developed with technical support from the ILO, and funding from DFAT and Government of Norway

News update

Launch of national policy on migration for employment

Labour market

Impact of multiple crises on Sri Lanka’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

This study set out to inform the labour market disruptions caused by the multiple crises do provide for an unprecedented opportunity for the Sri Lankan labour market to reset with a MSME business recovery model at centre stage.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

ILO launches a ground-breaking report on the impact of multiple crises on Sri Lanka's MSMEs

ILO's comprehensive and timely report sheds light on the challenges faced by Sri Lanka's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The report is based on extensive analysis, including surveys of over 550 MSMEs across 10 districts.

ILO in action

Breaking barriers to bring pride to her country

In Sri Lanka, Upeksha Madushani Maduthilaka is receiving on the job training in the Colombo Port as a transfer crane operator, a traditionally male dominated job. Thanks to the National Union of Sea Farers and with the support of the ILO and the...

Occupational Safety and Health

Brewing change - promoting safe work in Sri Lanka's tea plantations

Workers in tea and rubber plantations run a greater risk of occupational injury than those in other sectors. A safe and healthy working environment is the right of every worker, in every job! Here's how ILO Sri Lanka is promoting safe work for all...

ILO, European Commission and the Global Deal join hands to improve social dialogue for constructive labour relations