Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour met Hon. Shobha Karandlaje, State Minister of Labour & Employment of India on 10 June 2026, on the margins of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, being held from 01-12 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting focused on technical cooperation and knowledge sharing in labour law reforms.
Mr. Vice President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is an honour to address this 114th Session of the International Labour Conference on behalf of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
I express my deepest appreciation to the Director-General for his insightful report, A Moment of Choice: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work.
The Minister of Labour, Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando delivered his remarks at the Asia-Pacific Group (ASPAG) Labour Ministers’ Meeting on 09 June 2026, during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, which is being held from 01-12 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr. Chairman, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to address the Asia-Pacific Labour Ministers’ meeting today. I extend my sincere gratitude to Bangladesh for hosting the Asia -Pacific Group Ministerial Meeting.
Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour met H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization of the United Arab Emirates, on 09 June 2026, on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference, being held from 01-12 June 2026. The discussion centered on further increasing employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in the UAE.
On 08 June 2026, the Hon. Minister of Labour, (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando paid a courtesy call on Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the International Labour Organization, on the sidelines of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference which is being held from 01-12 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting the Minister briefed on the wide range of activities, measures and reforms being carried out to strengthen the labour law and social security in the country and sought ILO’s assistance in this regard.
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.
- Statement by Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour, at the ASPAG Ministerial Meeting
- Labour Minister Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando Pays Courtesy Call on ILO Director-General
- Statement by Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour at the 113th Session of the international Labour Conference, 10 June 2025