The Government is moving ahead with a sweeping overhaul of Sri Lanka’s labour laws, with four new bills set to be introduced as part of efforts to modernise the country’s employment framework and align it with evolving economic and social realities, the Parliament Secretariat announced yesterday.
The initiative, presented at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour Affairs, focuses on simplifying and consolidating existing laws while balancing worker protection and employer flexibility. Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe took part in the discussions outlining the reform strategy.
A 17-member expert committee has been appointed to review 14 existing labour laws and draft four new bills covering key areas such as trade unions, labour relations, occupational safety, and termination of employment. The committee has also agreed to propose interim amendments to existing laws until the new legal framework is fully enacted.
The upcoming reforms will also address women’s night-time employment rights, labour protection mechanisms, and employment termination insurance provisions, aiming to bring Sri Lanka’s labour standards in line with international best practices.
Officials said the new legal framework seeks to create a fair balance between safeguarding worker rights and improving the competitiveness and adaptability of businesses in a rapidly changing global environment.
According to Labour Ministry sources, the National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) has reached its final drafting stage and will be published soon. The Ministry is also working on a major digitalisation initiative, upgrading the Labour Department’s database to ensure that every worker is registered in the national system as soon as they enter the labour force.
Officials noted that this digital registry will enhance transparency, compliance, and social protection coverage while reducing administrative delays.
The labour reform programme is seen as a critical step toward creating a modern, inclusive, and dynamic labour market capable of supporting investment, productivity, and sustainable growth.
