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Advocata Institute identifies laws that discourage entry and retention of Lankan women in labour force

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4 years ago

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Advocata Institute says that Sri Lanka’s labour laws that discourage the entry and retention of women in the labour force are a factor preventing female participation in the workforce.

A report, titled ‘Gender Discriminatory Labour Laws in Sri Lanka and Female Labour Force Participation,’ recently launched by the Institute, says that the gender discriminatory labour laws, such as banning work at night, impacts female labour force participation.

The report identifies the lack of reference to part-time and flexible employment in the existing labour law, time restrictions on employing women at night, dearth of legal provisions for sexual harassment in employment and restrictions on overtime work for women, as legal obstacles that discourage women joining and actively participating in the workforce.

The report focused on four main areas of discrimination in the labour market: sexual harassment in the workplace, overtime work, work at night, and part-time work. The report highlighted that if these issues were addressed it is likely that female participation in the workforce would greatly improve which would benefit the economy and attract investment (particularly in the context of Sri Lanka’s tight labour market and the cost of labour).

In order to unblock the potential of the female labour force, the Advocata report proposes a series of reforms to existing legislation. These include amendments to the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act No. 19 of 1945, Wages Board Ordinance No. 27 of 1941, Gratuity Act No. 12 of 1983, Industrial Disputes Act No. 43 of 1950, Factories Ordinance No. 45 of 1942, Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956.

The launch event of the report was followed by a panel discussion. The panellists for the discussion included Attorney-at-Law Ayomi Fernando, International Centre for Ethnic Studies Independent Consultant and Research Associate Dr. Ramani Gunatilaka, MAS Women’s Empowerment, Advocacy and Code of Conduct General Manager Thanuja Jayawardene, and Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Representative MP Thalatha Atukorale. The discussion was moderated by Advocata Institute Research Executive (Policy) Sathya Karunarathne.

MP Thalatha Atukorale stressed the importance of this by highlighting that most of the existing legislation need amendments, while stressing, “We need to adopt new laws. With new sectors taking part in our economy, we have a need to amend the laws. The [Women’s] caucus has been working on political, social, environmental issues and doing our best effort to bring into the notice of the ministers.”

During the discussion, it was pointed out that firms in the private sector who wished to hire women often have to negotiate their way through complicated and archaic laws. Some firms may even forego this altogether and enter informal agreements which, however, do not provide sufficient protections for women.

Sri Lanka’s failure to recognise part-time employment under the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act remains such a barrier. According to Thanuja Jayawardene, “Making part-time work available for female employees is an important step in increasing labour force participation. From the business point of view, it is more beneficial to accommodate part-time work rather than lose employees, irrespective of their gender.”

Dr. Ramani Gunatilaka further stressed the importance of the reform, “If part-time work is allowed, young people and students can get experience, develop networks and even start their own businesses. Women can and want to do this. So, reforms are essential.” She stressed on the urgency of implementing these reforms and the impact it can have on the economy, “The working-age population is declining, and unless female labour force participation is boosted, the economy will not be able to grow at the expected rate.”

Ayomi Fernando shared similar insights while bringing into context the importance of recognising the elimination of restrictions on employing women at night. She said “Provisions preventing women working overtime are affecting the female labour. Women do need protection; however, these laws should be balanced to ensure women have equal opportunities.”


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Govt. extends ban on LTTE

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41 mins ago

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2026/01/13

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The NPP government has issued a new extraordinary gazette renewing and extending Sri Lanka’s long-standing ban on the LTTE and several Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, continuing to designate them as “terrorists”.

The gazette, published recently, replaces a previous gazette issued in May 2025 and reaffirmed the proscription of a wide range of Tamil political and advocacy bodies operating around the world, alongside dozens of named individuals. The government alleged both the organisations and individuals listed are involved in “terrorism-related activities”.

The organisations blacklisted by the Sri Lankan government include:

• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

• Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO)

• Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC)

• World Tamil Movement (WTM)

• Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)

• World Tamil Relief Fund (WTRF)

• National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT)

• Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO)

While the majority of the designations mirror those contained in the May 2025 gazette, the latest document updates identification details and addresses for a number of individuals and introduces at least one additional organisation to the list. All entries have been reissued under new reference numbers for 2026, though the underlying allegations and framing remain unchanged.

Successive governemnts have maintained a sweeping proscription regime against Tamil diaspora groups and individuals. A ban can make it a criminal offence for Sri Lankan citizens to maintain contact with these organisations or their members, severely restricting political engagement and stifling links between the diaspora and the Tamil homeland.

The original mass listings were introduced in 2014 under the administration of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Despite repeated outcry, subsequent governments have continued to uphold and renew the proscription regime, even after the Rajapaksas were voted out of power.

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Police obtain court order banning Wimal’s protest

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41 mins ago

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2026/01/13

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National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa addresses a gathering outside the Education Ministry on Monday before launching a protest demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as Education Minister over the inclusion of a link to an adult content website in the Grade 06 English module. (Pic by Thushara Atapattu)

Police yesterday (12) obtained an injunction order from the Kaduwela Magistrate’s court against the protest launched by National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa opposite the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, at Battaramulla.

Police informed Weerawansa of the court order. In line with the court order, the police informed Weerawansa that the road near the Ministry should not be obstructed and that no sound amplification equipment be used while the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination is in progress. The examination, put off due to Cyclone Ditwah, recommenced yesterday.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path to progres

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43 mins ago

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2026/01/13

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FM Herath with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath held productive discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi today (12/01), during the latter’s brief visit to Sri Lanka.

The meeting aimed at further strengthening bilateral engagement and advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries. Both Ministers reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and time-tested cooperation between Sri Lanka and China rooted in centuries of exchanges and consolidated since the establishment of diplomatic relations seven decades ago. The discussion also focused on enhancing partnership in the areas of trade, investment, development cooperation and tourism.

Minister Herath extended deep appreciation to the Government and the people of China for the steadfast support extended to Sri Lanka following cyclone Ditwah and requested further support for the second phase of resettlement, relocation and rebuilding, particularly for the restoration of affected infrastructure including identified roads, railways and bridges that are vital to connectivity, economic recovery and daily lives of people. Minister Wang assured China’s fullest support for this initiative and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will continue its rapid recovery under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He also welcomed the people-centric policies of the Government and expressed optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path toward fulfilling aspirations of its people.

Minister Herath expressed appreciation for China’s constructive role in international fora and reiterated Sri Lanka’s firm commitment to the One China Policy and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Both Ministers also recalled the successful high level exchanges in the recent past, including visits of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to China in 2025.

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