Feature articles

February 2021

  1. Growing a field of dreams

    10 February 2021

    For the many first-time women farmers in the village of Chettikulam, black gram offers new opportunities. Through its work in the agriculture sector, ILO Sri Lanka’s LEED+ project is working with Coops, government officials, and private sector to create sustainable livelihoods, and empowered communities.

December 2020

  1. © Diomari Madulara 2021
    Coconuts, commitment and changing circumstances

    07 December 2020

    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.

December 2019

  1. Sweet dreams are made of sugar and spice

    03 December 2019

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

November 2019

  1. Disability – why your opinion is important

    22 November 2019

    Persons with disabilities are too often judged by what they are not rather than what they are, says Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin. The deaf film star is calling for support for a campaign against #invalidopinions that is being launched during the Global Business and Disability Network meeting at the ILO from 21–22 November.

  2. Water is wealth for Sri Lankan farmers

    05 November 2019

    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.

October 2019

  1. My father, the migrant worker

    31 October 2019

    The money sent by migrants workers to their loved ones back home support their families and the wider economy. For ILO officer, Asmi Mustafa, remittances helped him achieve his dreams.

November 2018

  1. Sri Lankan women making waves in local industry

    05 November 2018

    With determination, detergent and the support of the ILO project promoting local empowerment through economic development in Sri Lanka, a group of women-headed households have gained social and economic power.

July 2018

  1. © Steve McCurry 2021
    Labour rights: The means to tackle human trafficking

    27 July 2018

    Op-ed by Ms Tomoko Nishimoto, the regional director for the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Asia and the Pacific. The ILO currently has nine programmes against forced labour and human trafficking worldwide, four of them are in Asia and the Pacific.

March 2018

  1. All-female cooperative brings women farmers to the fore in Sri Lanka

    22 March 2018

    Cooperatives have enjoyed success in Sri Lanka. By banding together, farmers and fishermen have been able to access markets, enjoy the advantages of collective purchasing and marketing, tap credit facilities and access social welfare programs.

November 2017

  1. Free from debt and bonded labour in Sri Lanka’s fisheries

    01 November 2017

    ILO's project helps free fishermen from debt bondage and supports livelihoods.