News

Cabinet approval has been granted for the implementation of the Ten-Year National Action Plan on Social Care (2026–2035), which aims to formalise social care services, safeguard the rights of care workers and increase women’s participation in the labour force.

The Action Plan, prepared in line with the National Social Protection Policy and the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2035), was approved at the Cabinet meeting held on 28 September 2026.

The approval was granted following consideration of a Joint Cabinet Memorandum submitted by the Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Savithri Paulraj; and the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage.

Prepared with the technical support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), this Action Plan represents an important step towards strengthening the second pillar of the National Social Protection Strategy, namely Social Care (Pillar 2 – Social Care). Its key objectives include improving the quality of services provided to people in need of care, including children, older persons and persons with disabilities, as well as recognising and assigning due value to unpaid care work performed within households.

Furthermore, the Action Plan seeks to establish the necessary framework for developing the professional skills of care workers, expanding opportunities to obtain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ), and strengthening employment security, decent working conditions and social protection for those engaged in the care sector.

Considering the growth of Sri Lanka’s ageing population and the increasing demand for care services, another key objective is to establish a formal social care system. The Plan also aims to promote a fairer sharing of care responsibilities, thereby creating greater opportunities for women to participate in employment and economic activities.

The Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment will take the lead in implementing the Action Plan. Other ministries and institutions will also contribute, including the Ministry of Health and Mass Media; the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education; the National Planning Department and the National Budget Department under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; and the Ministry of Digital Economy. Through the implementation of activities identified under the Plan, social care programmes are expected to be carried out from the national level to the rural level.

With the participation of relevant government and non-government institutions, programmes will be implemented from the national level to the rural level by strengthening institutional, regulatory and monitoring mechanisms. The necessary funding for these activities is expected to be secured through the Consolidated Fund and/or the support of development partners.

The Action Plan is expected to establish a national framework for improving the quality and accessibility of social care services, strengthening the rights and social protection of care workers, and building a safer and more equitable society that meets the needs of all people requiring care.