On 16 April 2026, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190).
Sri Lanka is the 55th ILO Member States to ratify Convention No. 190.
In depositing the instrument of ratification, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, stated: “I am pleased to announce that Sri Lanka ratified the ILO Convention C190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, which demonstrates the Government’s commitment to respect, promote and realize the right of everyone to a world of work that free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. By ratifying this important Convention, we reaffirm Sri Lanka’s commitment to promote an environment of zero tolerance to violence and harassment in the world of work. Pursuant to the ratification, Sri Lanka is taking steps to introduce necessary legal provisions domestically by amending its existing labour laws for the implementation of this Convention.”
In receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the ILO stated that: “By ratifying Convention No. 190, Sri Lanka reaffirms the country’s commitment to place dignity, equality and respect at the centre of the world of work. This marks a pivotal step toward a future that is free from violence and harassment, ensuring safe and healthy working environments. The ILO stands ready to support the Government and social partners in aligning the national legal and institutional framework with ratified Conventions.”
Convention No. 190 is the first international instrument to establish a clear and comprehensive basis for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. Together with Recommendation No. 206, it provides an integrated and gender-responsive approach to protecting all workers and other persons in the world of work, setting out practical measures for implementation.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN
Geneva
17 April 2026
Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development paid a courtesy call on Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the International Labour Organization on 16 October 2025 at the ILO Office, on the margins of the Fifth Review of the Trade Policies and Practices of Sri Lanka, which is being held from 15-17 October 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Minister of Labour Anil Jayantha Fernandodelivered a statement at the ASPAG (Asia-Pacific Group) Ministerial Meeting, convened by Japan as the coordinator on 11 June 2025 on the sidelines of the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) and highlighted the Government's focus on improving compliance, fostering decent working conditions, promoting access to information, making the labour market more inclusive and responsive to the evolving needs of both workers and employers and investing in digital solutions to enhance labour inspection, complaints management and social security systems.
Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour paid a courtesy call on Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General, International Labour Organization (#ILO) on 10 June 2025.
During the meeting, updates on the legal measures and actions taken by the government to reform the labour laws and matters related to technical assistance, human resource development, capacity building and internship programmes were discussed.
Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour, leading the tripartite delegation to the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, addressed the Plenary Sitting of the on 10 June 2025 and highlighted the Government's focus on promoting decent work, occupational safety and health, closing the gender pay gap, supporting the care economy, and ensuring protections for all workers, including those in the informal, precarious, and gig economies.
Mr. President,
Director General of the ILO,
Trade Union and Employer Representatives,
Excellencies,
Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a great pleasure and a privilege to address this August assembly on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. I want to thank the ILO Director General for his timely report on the "Social Contract," which addresses the injustices, inequalities, and insecurities we face today, while reaffirming our commitment to social justice.
'Sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth' could hardly be realized without properly addressing the inequalities in the world of work', stated the Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations Hon. Ravindra Samaraweera, today, 4th June 2018, speaking at the Plenary Meeting of the 107th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) being held in Geneva from 28 May - 9 June 2018.
Highlighting some of the significant achievements made by Sri Lanka in the field of labour, Minister Samaraweera observed that being the first country in the world to implement a National Decent Work Plan on par with ILO principles, Sri Lanka has also given priority to 'labour rights', through its inclusion in the National Human Rights Action Plan 2017-2021. He added further that Sri Lanka is in the process of introducing a 'single employment law', consolidating disparate laws that currently exist, and giving effect to the principle of non-discrimination. Sri Lanka, the Minister stressed, has also made strides in progress toward eliminating child labour, and promoting the rights of the child, offering to share its expertise in this area to support the endeavours of the ILO.
- Inter – agency cooperation vital to ensure labour migration benefits to Developing Countries. Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative
- Sri Lanka Signs an Agreement with Germany to Recruit Sri Lankans as Geriatric Care Nurses
- Sri Lanka to work towards the green initiatives of the International Labour Organisation