Thursday Jun 11, 2026
Thursday Jun 11, 2026
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Labour Minister and Finance Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando (left) with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo in Geneva
Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing decent work, labour rights and social justice, while seeking greater support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) for ongoing labour sector reforms.
Labour Minister and Finance Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando met ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo on 8 June on the sidelines of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the meeting, Dr. Fernando briefed the ILO on a range of reforms being implemented by the Government to strengthen labour legislation and social protection mechanisms, bridge the digital divide and sought the organisation’s support for these initiatives.
The Minister highlighted Sri Lanka’s recent ratification of ILO Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work, noting that steps have already been taken to introduce the legal provisions required for its implementation.
He also informed the ILO that the Government is considering ratifying Convention No. 188 on Work in Fishing, with the objective of improving working conditions and labour protections for workers in the fisheries sector.
According to the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry, Dr. Fernando emphasised the Government’s commitment to creating a better working environment for Sri Lanka’s workforce and said efforts to strengthen labour standards would continue.
Houngbo commended Sri Lanka’s recent efforts to align with international labour rights conventions and welcomed the Government’s commitment to labour sector reforms.
He also assured that the ILO would provide the necessary technical assistance to support the country’s reform agenda in the future.
The 114th Session of the International Labour Conference is being held in Geneva from 1 to 12 June. The Sri Lankan delegation intends to emphasise the importance of global cooperation to ensure that technological progress, including Artificial Intelligence, benefits all workers and contributes to a more equitable future of work.
