Hon. Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, who departed for Geneva, Switzerland on 07 June 2026 to participate in the “114th Session of the International Labour Conference” being held from 01 to 12 June 2026, met with Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), on 08 June and engaged in a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Minister briefed the Director-General on the broad range of initiatives and reforms being implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen labour laws and social protection mechanisms in the country. He also sought the support of the International Labour Organization for these efforts.
The Minister further highlighted Sri Lanka’s recent ratification of the ILO’s Convention No. 190 (C190) concerning violence and harassment in the world of work. He noted that the Government has already taken steps to introduce the necessary legal provisions required for its implementation.
In addition, the Minister stated that the Government of Sri Lanka is considering ratifying Convention No. 188 (C188) on Work in Fishing, with the objective of ensuring decent working conditions for workers engaged in the fisheries sector. He further emphasized the Government’s commitment to creating a better working environment for Sri Lanka’s labour force and stated that these efforts will continue without interruption.
Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo commended the commitment demonstrated by the Government of Sri Lanka and its recent efforts to align with international labour rights conventions. He also stated that the International Labour Organization would provide the necessary technical assistance to support these initiatives in the future.
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