News
Netherlands Embassy brings responsible business conduct to forefront
Launch of the Addendum on Responsible Business Conduct Handbook on Doing Business in Sri Lanka
Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), as defined by the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, revolves around the key principle of due diligence, which means the responsibility of businesses to identify, prevent, mitigate, and report on risks related to their operations, products, and services. To highlight its importance and create a conversation around RBC, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands launched the ‘Addendum on RBC Handbook on Doing Business in Sri Lanka’ in Colombo, Sri Lankam facilitated by the Citra Social Innovation Lab of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, which saw the participation of high-level representatives, followed by a dialogue around RBC in Sri Lanka’s context by expert panelists.
The Handbook on Doing Business in Sri Lanka provides guidance on RBC for entrepreneurs and businesses. Adhering to RBC standards is critical for exporters from Sri Lanka to the European Union and the Netherlands to stay competitive and retain access to EU markets. The Addendum compiles essential information to understand RBC, the frameworks, and actions supporting it, as well as step-by-step guidance on incorporating RBC in business operations and practices, managing risks, and accessing tools, guidelines, and relevant information.
Delivering the keynote speech at the event, Nanna Stolze of the International RBC Unit, Department for Market Regulation and Trade Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, provided an overview of what RBC is in the Dutch context and why it is important.
Speaking at the event, Anouk Baron, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, mentioned, “To survive and build a better future, the era of bigger is better, take, make, dispose and exponential growth should be replaced with a greater focus on quality, sustainability and a move towards understanding what footprint or impact a business creates throughout its entire supply chain. We have a choice, an opportunity but also an obligation to collectively deliver on that demand as citizens, consumers, producers and policymakers.” She also went on to highlight how the Embassy aims to support businesses in Sri Lanka to prepare and embrace the shift towards RBC.
Highlighting the role of the Government of Sri Lanka, Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of the Sustainable Development Council, stated, “We have prioritized the private sector in our work at our institution and have developed a framework of private sector engagement on sustainability with a steering committee appointed to operationalize this framework with representatives from main business chambers. One of the main elements of this framework is promoting inclusive and sustainable business models, through standardization, certification and reporting….Given that the Sri Lankan economy is predominantly based on SMEs, our approach is to see an industry-wide adoption of all these standards in a phased out approach to ensure a wider adoption of these standards”
The panel on Responsible Business Conducted consisted of sector experts, including Shiran Fernando, Chief Economist of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; Simrin Singh, Country Director of ILO Sri Lanka; Myanthi Peiris, Business and Human Rights National Specialist of UNDP Sri Lanka; Shehan Liyanage of SLYCAN Trust (GTE) Ltd., and was moderated by Murali Kanapathy, Senior Programme and Operation Officer, Better Work Programme of ILO Sri Lanka.
The dialogue, which was facilitated by the Citra Social Innovation Lab, is a part of their wider service offerings to development partners. Citra uses human centered design approaches and innovation tools, such as design thinking and systemic design to ensure holistic approaches to achieve the desired impact.
It has been reported quoting police sources that the death toll from the renewed unrest at the Negombo Prison which this morning, has risen from nineteen to twenty five (25).
A clash initially broke out between two groups of inmates (a group of remand prisoners and a group of convicted inmates serving sentences) at the Negombo Prison at around 1.00 p.m. on Sunday (05).
Two inmates died in yesterday’s clash, while around 40 others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at hospital.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the children of Sri Lanka are well capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical ways of thinking, and that the Government is committed to equipping them with the required knowledge and modern technologies necessary to realize their full potential.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the opening of the ’Arumasiya’ Exhibition and the occasion of laying the foundation stone for a new three-storey building at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, on the 4th of July.
During the visit, the Prime Minister officially declared open the exhibition showcasing the students’ innovations and creative talents and commended them for their remarkable achievements. The Prime Minister also participated in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the construction of the College’s new three-storey building.
Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“It is a pleasure to participate in this special event at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, the school where Sri Lanka’s first female Prime Minister received her education
I had the opportunity to visit the exhibition featuring the outstanding creations and innovations of the students. What I witnessed was a group of talented young people who have moved beyond textbook learning and are capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical thinking.
We are introducing a new education reform process that moves away from a rote-learning, examination-oriented system towards a practical and skills-based one. The Government is now systematically completing all the necessary preparations to implement the new education reforms scheduled to commence in 2027.
Our objective is to ensure that every child leaving school has access to vocational and technical education that matches their individual talents and meets the demands of the modern labour market. We are committed to transforming vocational education into a field that enjoys the same dignity and recognition as university education.
Finally, I commend the Principal and the academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College for organizing this exhibition, and to the students and parents whose dedication made this event a success.”
The event was attended by Members of Parliament for Ratnapura District Wasantha Pushpa Kumara and Sunil Rajapaksha, the Mayor of Balangoda and members of the Municipal Council, the Zonal Director of Education, the Principal and academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, parents, and students.
Prime Minister’s Media Division
The appointment of a Special Parliamentary Ombudsman (SPO) to inquire into the complaints against the Attorney General, as promised in the NPP manifesto, is on hold, pending the establishment of an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.
Authoritative sources told The Island that the Justice and National Integration Ministry was awaiting the recommendations, regarding the new legislation for the establishment of such an Office, from a Committee of Technical Experts, chaired by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, PC.
Responding to a query raised in Parliament by SJB lawmaker Ajith P. Perera about the delay in appointment of SPO, Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the government couldn’t take a decision until the Kodagoda Committee made recommendations.
Nanayakkara said that the positioning of the SPO couldn’t be decided before they differentiate the powers of the Attorney General and the an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.
According to the NPP manifesto, provincial Sub Officers were to be established under a senior Additional Solicitor General.
Opposition sources pointed out that the relevant Cabinet decision was taken on 7 May 2025. According to the Cabinet Office, the government decided to establish an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers in line with a proposal made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her final report on Sri Lanka, submitted in September, 2024.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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