News

The second awareness program in the series on the Prevention of Forced Labour, held in the Southern Province in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and the Department of Labour, took place on 02 September 2026.

Management members, including small and medium-scale private tea estate owners in the Elpitiya area, participated in this program. Plantation workers employed in small and medium-scale tea estates in the Southern Province were informed about labour regulations, the definition of forced labour, and the related legal framework. Special attention was drawn to practices in small and medium-scale plantations such as taking custody of workers’ identity cards, withholding original certificates, restricting workers’ travel, creating situations where workers are compelled to remain at work due to fear or lack of alternatives, and excessively extending working hours.

In addition, awareness was also provided on areas of eliminating child labour, knowledge of basic labour laws, and occupational safety and health in the workplace.

The Deputy Minister of Labour, Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe, participated in the inauguration of this program. Addressing the assembly, he emphasized that the Government of Sri Lanka is taking all necessary steps to eliminate forced labour and child labour in the country.

Joiny Simpson, Resident Director of the Sri Lanka and Maldives Office of the International Labour Organization, commended the progress made by Sri Lanka in eliminating forced labour and child labour.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Mr. S. M. Piyathissa, the Commissioner General of Labour, Mrs. M. D. N. K. Wataliyedda, and other officials of the Department of Labour also participated in this event.

These awareness programs are expected to help identify the risks of forced labour, promote responsible employment practices, and encourage community participation in the prevention of forced labour.