Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports
Sri Lanka
Moderate Advancement
In 2021, Sri Lanka made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government amended the hazardous occupations list by expanding it to include domestic labor, and amended the Minimum Wages Ordinance, the Shop and Office Employees' Act, and the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act to raise the minimum age of employment from 14 to 16 years. The government also prioritized the fisheries and plantation sectors for awareness activities, conducting various trainings and other awareness-raising programs regarding eliminating child labor. In addition, it prepared a National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2021–2025) and released a Standard Operating Procedure on the Identification, Protection, and Referral of Child Victims of Trafficking in English, Sinhala, and Tamil in partnership with an NGO. However, children in Sri Lanka are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and forced domestic work. Although the government made meaningful efforts in all relevant areas during the reporting period, it did not impose criminal penalties for violations related to the worst forms of child labor or publish data on its efforts to address child labor crimes. Research indicates some children in rural areas face barriers to accessing education, including difficulties in traveling to school in some regions and an inadequate number of teachers. Furthermore, the labor inspectorate lacked sufficient staffing or funding to carry out inspections, especially inspections of factories in the northern and eastern provinces.
Children in Sri Lanka are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and forced domestic work. (1-5) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Sri Lanka.
|
Children |
Age |
Percent |
|---|---|---|
|
Working (% and population) |
5 to 14 |
0.8 (28,515) |
|
Working children by sector |
5 to 14 |
|
|
Agriculture |
42.1 |
|
|
Industry |
21.9 |
|
|
Services |
36.0 |
|
|
Attending School (%) |
5 to 14 |
98.0 |
|
Combining Work and School (%) |
7 to 14 |
0.9 |
|
Primary Completion Rate (%) |
99.3 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2019, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2022. (6)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization's analysis of statistics from Child Activity Survey (CAS), 2016. (7)
Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.
|
Sector/Industry |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
Agriculture |
Farming, including raising livestock (2,4,8-10) |
|
Fishing, including deep-sea fishing,† processing fish, and selling fish (1,2,4,9-12) |
|
|
Industry |
Manufacturing, including textiles and garments, and food processing (2,4,9,10,13) |
|
Mining† and construction† (1,2,4,9,10,13,14) |
|
|
Services |
Domestic work (1,2,4,5,9,10) |
|
Vending, in stores and on the streets, transportation, and begging (1,2,4,9-11) |
|
|
Work in hotels, restaurants, and offices (9,14) |
|
|
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡ |
Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (1,3-5,8,15-18) |
|
Forced domestic work (5,8) |
|
|
Use in illicit activities, including drug trafficking (5,8,19,20) |
† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.
The 2016 Child Activity Survey's definition of child labor does not align with international standards because children ages 5 to 11 working less than 15 hours per week and children ages 12 to 14 working less than 25 hours per week in agriculture are not counted as child laborers. These issues may have led to an underestimation of the population of children in child labor in the Child Activity Survey. (9) The ILO and an NGO documented several cases of debt distress among workers at private, smallholding tea estates, which increased the risk of child labor in the tea sector. (1,4) Debt distress can be linked to debts that workers owed to the estate for housing and accommodating their families. (21) NGOs also report that smallholder farmers face labor shortages during harvest times and an increasing cost of labor and production, and often rely on children under the age of 12 to help during the harvest period. (22) There are reports of children subjected to child trafficking internally, including from tea estates, to perform domestic work in Colombo. In addition, child domestic workers are subjected to sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, non-payment of wages, and restrictions on movement. (1,8)
Children, predominantly boys, are also forced into commercial sexual exploitation in tourist areas as part of the sex tourism industry, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. (1,3,4,16,18,23) In 2017, the ILO conducted a rapid assessment of the extent of commercial sexual exploitation of children in the coastal areas and found that most of the children were ages 15 to 17. (15) According to the Sri Lankan Department of Labor, children living in coastal and agricultural areas, mining areas, and firewood-producing areas were vulnerable to child labor. (1,24) During the reporting period, Save the Children released a report on the sexual exploitation of children in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka, which highlighted the increased use of mobile apps with GPS being used to indicate availability of minors for commercial sexual exploitation. The government worked with Save the Children and the International Organization for Migration on research for the report. (4,25) In 2021, local NGOs and media reports of commercial sexual exploitation of children decreased, likely because of the suppression of the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. (4,5) The government also investigated sexual exploitation of children at a state-run orphanage. (5)
Although the government provides free, compulsory education to all schoolchildren, some children in rural areas face barriers to accessing education, including difficulties traveling to school in some regions and an inadequate number of teachers. (1)
Sri Lanka has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).
|
Convention |
Ratification |
|---|---|
|
ILO C. 138, Minimum Age |
✓ |
|
ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor |
✓ |
|
UN CRC |
✓ |
|
UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict |
✓ |
|
UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography |
✓ |
|
Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons |
✓ |
The government’s laws and regulations are in line with relevant international standards (Table 4).
|
Standard |
Meets International Standards |
Age |
Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Age for Work |
Yes |
16 |
Sections 7, 9, 13, and 34 of the Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act; Section 6 of the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Amendment Act; Section 2 of the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) (Amendment) Act; Sections 2–7 of the Factories (Amendment) Act; Sections 2-4 of the Minimum Wages (Indian Labor) (Amendment) Act. (26-30) |
|
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work |
Yes |
18 |
Section 20A of the Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act (26) |
|
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children |
Yes |
Hazardous Occupations Regulations No. 01; Section 20A of the Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act (26,31) |
|
|
Prohibition of Forced Labor |
Yes |
Sections 358A, 360C, 360A(2), and 360A(4) of the Penal Code (32) |
|
|
Prohibition of Child Trafficking |
Yes |
Sections 360C, 360A(2), and 360A(4) of the Penal Code (32) |
|
|
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children |
Yes |
Sections 286A, 360B, 360A(2), and 360A(4) of the Penal Code (32) |
|
|
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities |
Yes |
Sections 288, 288A, 288B, and 360C of the Penal Code (32) |
|
|
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment |
Yes |
18 |
Sections 20A and 31 of the Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act (26) |
|
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military |
N/A* |
||
|
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups |
Yes |
358(1)(d) of the Penal Code; Sections 20A and 31 of the Employment of Women, Young Persons (26,32) |
|
|
Compulsory Education Age |
Yes |
16 |
Section 43 of the Education Ordinance; Compulsory Attendance of Children at Schools Regulation No. 1 of 2015 (33,34) |
|
Free Public Education |
Yes |
Section 47 of the Education Ordinance (33) |
* Country has no conscription. (35)
In January 2021, the government amended the Shop and Office Employees’ Act, the Factories Ordinance, Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, and the Minimum Wages Ordinance to increase the minimum age of employment from 14 to 16 years. (4) In November 2021, the government expanded the list of hazardous forms of occupations under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act from 51 categories to 71 categories, including domestic work. (4,31,36)
The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.
|
Organization/Agency |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Department of Labor in the Ministry of Labor |
Enforces labor law in relation to the employment of children and young persons, including overseeing labor inspectorate. Receives public complaints of child labor lodged in national and district-level offices. (1,2,37) Receives complaints from other state organizations, including from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). Conducts special investigations in relation to child labor and hazardous labor, and takes legal action as necessary. (1,2) In 2021, received 138 complaints on child labor and hazardous child labor. The children were directed for assistance to the relevant care organizations, including the Department of Probations and Child Care Services and the respective Divisional Secretariats. (4) |
|
Children and Women’s Bureau of the Sri Lankan Police |
Enforces laws on child labor, child trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation of children, and the use of children in illicit activities. (8) Also supervises the NCPA Special Police Investigation Unit, which has approximately 40 police officers who investigate complaints involving children, including complaints of child labor. (1) |
|
National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Special Police Investigation Unit |
Investigates complaints involving children, including child labor. (8,38,39) Along with the Children and Women's Bureau of the Sri Lankan Police, receives complaints on commercial sexual exploitation and the use of children in illicit activities. (1) Has approximately 300 child protection officers based in the districts who are tasked with preventing child exploitation and protecting survivors. (1) In 2021, received a total of 171 complaints of child labor violations. Also continued to promote the "1929" child protection app along with a book entitled "The Identification, Prevention and Management of Child Abuse" and a child protection song to raise awareness about the "1929" Sri Lanka Child Protection Help Line. (4) |
|
Department of Probation and Child Care Services |
Coordinates services for child survivors of forced labor, human trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation who have been referred by the police and the court. (8) During the reporting period, launched two new programs designed to support children who leave school (Mal Uyanata) and to provide scholarships and housing assistance for children and families (Athwela). (2,40) |
Several ministries, departments, and agencies have legal authority for the enforcement of criminal laws against child labor. The National Child Protection Authority, the Criminal Investigations Department of the Sri Lankan Police, and the Attorney General's Department are responsible for the enforcement of criminal laws against child trafficking and forced child labor. (1)
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2021, labor law enforcement agencies in Sri Lanka took actions to address child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including insufficient financial resource allocation.
|
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|
|
Labor Inspectorate Funding |
$2,194,101 (2) |
$1,933,333 (4) |
|
Number of Labor Inspectors |
495 (40) |
570 (4) |
|
Mechanism to Assess Civil Penalties |
Yes (27) |
Yes (27) |
|
Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors |
Unknown (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor |
N/A (2) |
Yes (40) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted |
44,439 (2) |
38,280 (41) |
|
Number Conducted at Worksite |
41,374 (2) |
37,588 (41) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations Found |
6 (2) |
4 (4) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed |
6 (2) |
1 (4) |
|
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected |
6 (2) |
3 (4) |
|
Routine Inspections Conducted |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Routine Inspections Targeted |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Permitted |
Yes (27) |
Yes (27) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Conducted |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Complaint Mechanism Exists |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
The labor inspectorate is not authorized to assess penalties. Penalties for child labor law violations are available under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children’s Act, instead of under the authority of the labor inspectorate. (4,26) Penalties include a maximum fine of up to US $50 and up to 12 months' imprisonment. The magistrate’s court levies any fines, imprisonment, or compensation for the child victim. (4) The fine is collected by the registrar’s office of the court and compensation is normally given to the guardian of the child victim or deposited in a bank account under the victim’s name. (4)
In 2021, the labor inspectorate conducted a special investigation of all hazardous fisheries with multi-day fishing vessels in response to a discovery of hazardous labor within the industry. The investigation did not find that children were regularly working the fisheries industry. (4) During the reporting period the Department of Labor also removed four children from child labor and hazardous child labor situations. (4) However, reports indicate that the labor inspectorate did not have sufficient staffing to carry out inspections, especially inspections of factories in the northern and eastern provinces. (1,40) In addition, the ILO reported that the labor department was not funded adequately. Finally, although the hazardous occupations list was expanded to include domestic work, labor inspectors only had the authority to inspect private residences for violations against child domestic workers if a complaint was received. (4,5)
Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2021, criminal law enforcement agencies in Sri Lanka took actions to address child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including a lack of resources to carry out investigations.
|
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators |
Yes (42) |
Yes (4) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
N/A (2) |
N/A (4) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Number of Investigations |
Unknown (2) |
Unknown (4) |
|
Number of Violations Found |
Unknown (2) |
Unknown (4) |
|
Number of Prosecutions Initiated |
Unknown (2) |
Unknown (4) |
|
Number of Convictions |
Unknown (2) |
Unknown (4) |
|
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (2) |
Yes (4) |
During the reporting period, the government arrested 41 people in a high-profile child sex trafficking case, including one Deputy Chairman of a local divisional council, 2 police officers, and a Navy officer; the investigation is ongoing. (4,36,43) It also investigated allegations of sexual exploitation of children at orphanages, leading to the arrest of the head of an orphanage, one of its staff members, and the probation commissioner with oversight of the orphanage. While the government stated that the investigation found no evidence of sex trafficking in the orphanages, allegations persist. (5) In 2021, the government also implemented a special case identification system for child abuse and human trafficking cases that prioritizes such cases when scheduling hearing dates. (4,5,36)
There were isolated reports that a lack of awareness and misunderstanding of trafficking led some local authorities to arrest or detain sex trafficking victims for alleged unlawful acts committed as a direct result of trafficking without proper screening; however, the government did not penalize human trafficking survivors for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit when survivors were properly identified. (5,23,40)
Research found that investigators did not have adequate facilities or human resources to carry out investigations. Investigators lack transportation facilities, and the Sri Lankan Police lack facilities to record evidence. (1,2,4,44) Although the government publishes some crime statistics, the Sri Lankan Police do not fully disaggregate criminal data, including cases investigated specific to forced child labor, child trafficking, child commercial sexual exploitation, and the use of children in illicit activities. (1,2,4,42,45,46)
The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8).
|
Coordinating Body |
Role & Description |
|---|---|
|
National Steering Committee on Child Labor Elimination |
Coordinates efforts to prevent and eliminate child labor, including the implementation of the National Policy on Elimination of Child Labor in Sri Lanka. Chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labor; includes representatives from key government agencies, employer and workers’ organizations, ILO, UNICEF, and NGOs. (1) In 2021, convened three times and discussed a way forward to finalize a road map on Child Labor Elimination. (4) All members agreed to conduct activities with respect to the “International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor 2021." Also conducted 107 trainings for the fisheries sector and 27 programs for the plantation sector. (4) |
|
NCPA |
Coordinates and monitors activities related to the protection of children, including activities to address child labor. Consults with relevant government ministries, local governments, employers, and NGOs, and recommends policies and actions to prevent and protect children from abuse and exploitation. (2) In 2021, worked with Save the Children to release a Standard Operating Procedure on the Identification, Protection, and Referral of Child Victims of Trafficking in English, Sinhala, and Tamil. (4,25,47) Also led a multisector project bringing together 10 institutions including child affairs, education, health, tourism, labor, media, justice, disaster management, defense, and social empowerment. Conducted several consultations under the framework Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children, identified gaps in each sector, and formulated an action plan that is now pending treasury validation before being presented to the Cabinet for approval. (40) |
|
National Anti-Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) |
Coordinates interagency efforts to address all human trafficking issues, including commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Includes representatives from a range of government agencies, including the Ministry of Social Services, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Department of Labor, NCPA, Department of Probation and Child Care, Police Criminal Division, and Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse to Women and Children. (48) In 2021, the coordination of NAHTTF was transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Defense and existing activities continued to be implemented. (4,48) |
|
Child Development Committees |
Coordinate activities and exchange information among child protection officers, police, and labor, education, and health officials at the village, division, and district levels. Function in 25 districts and 313 divisions. (8) During the reporting period, the committees continued to meet. (4) |
The government has established policies that are consistent with relevant international standards on child labor (Table 9).
|
Policy |
Description |
|---|---|
|
National Policy on Elimination of Child Labor in Sri Lanka |
Aims to mainstream child labor issues into national development policies, improve enforcement, and support collaboration with key stakeholders. (49) During the reporting period, the minimum age of employment and the list of hazardous occupations were revised under this policy. (4) |
|
National Child Protection Policy |
Established by NCPA as a measure to reduce child sex tourism in Sri Lanka. (1,2) In 2021, established a 5-year action plan to implement the policy, and led a multisector consultation that brought together 10 stakeholders in the child affairs, education, health, tourism, labor, media, justice, disaster management, defense, and social empowerment sectors to identify gaps in each sector and formulate a response.(40) |
|
National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking |
Seeks to address human trafficking by raising stakeholder awareness, improving survivor protection services, increasing the prosecution of human trafficking cases, and conducting research and data collection. Also seeks to improve coordination among National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force members. (50) During the reporting period, the new draft of the plan was prepared and circulated among the membership for verification. (4) |
|
Decent Work Country Program (2018–2022) |
Details the priorities and outcomes required to make progress toward the goal of decent work for all. Identifies key areas of work for the eradication of child labor by 2022, including operationalizing the child labor-free zone model in all districts, expanding the inspection system to cover child labor in the informal sector, raising the minimum age for employment to 16 years, revising regulations on hazardous child labor, improving the complaints and referral mechanisms, and regularly collecting data on child labor. (51) During the reporting period, provided technical and financial assistance to the Department of Labor for activities around World Day against Child Labor, led a technical discussion between ILO experts and the Department of Census and Statistics, undertook public activities and awareness programs to mark the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor, and extended the program to 2024 due to the impact of the pandemic on children's school attendance and the risk of increased child labor. (52) |
|
National Alternative Care Policy |
Launched by the Department of Probation and Child Care Services. Includes a section addressing child victims of sexual exploitation or harmful child labor. (2) In 2021, conducted a census of Sri Lanka’s child development centers, which is intended to inform a 5-year action plan to implement the policy. (40) |
‡ The government had other policies that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor. (2,8,53)
In 2021, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including a lack of implementation.
|
Program |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Child Labor-Free Zone Model† |
Local government initiatives that seek to eliminate child labor through the identification of children engaged in child labor, a rehabilitation program, assistance to families of children at risk of engaging in child labor, and an awareness-raising campaign. Operated by the district secretariats, with assistance from the Department of Labor and with technical and financial support from ILO. (1) The program’s start was postponed during the reporting period, and it is scheduled to be introduced in 2022, upon receipt of the final guidelines from the National Steering Committee on Elimination of Child Labor. (4) |
|
‘1929’ Childline Sri Lanka† |
NCPA-funded and operated 24-hour toll-free emergency telephone service for vulnerable and abused children. Connects children in need of help to direct assistance and rehabilitation services. (2,56) In 2021, continued to direct child labor complaints received during pandemic lockdown periods to the Department of Labor for response. (4) |
|
Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking |
Ministry of Women and Child Affairs shelter that provides children and female victims of human trafficking and domestic violence with safe shelter and access to medical, psychological, and legal assistance. (24,57) A magistrate's order is required for victims to receive services at the shelter. (41) During the reporting period, the government provided $62,000 in assistance to operate the shelter. (36) |
|
Measurement, Awareness-Raising, and Policy Engagement (MAP16) Project on Child Labor and Forced Labor |
$220,000 USDOL-funded project implemented by ILO that aims to conduct research and develop new survey methodologies, improve awareness, strengthen policies and government capacity, and promote partnerships to address child labor and forced labor. The project began in March 2020 and is expected to run until June 2022. Additional information is available on the USDOL website. (2,58,59) |
† Program is funded by the Government of Sri Lanka.
‡ The government had other programs that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor. (1,4,60)
In 2021, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard conducted public awareness programs regarding child labor in the fishing industry. (4) A cash transfer program initiated to support families who have lost their income due to the pandemic continued to be implemented. (2,4) In addition, the Department of Labor launched a film competition and an awareness program that included a YouTube channel to raise awareness of the labor law and five short videos on the hazardous forms of child labor. (4,5,52,61,62) The Department of Probation and Childcare, in partnership with UNICEF and NGOs, initiated a new project that aims to establish a database of children at risk of child labor. (60)
During the reporting period, schools in rural areas with lower rates of COVID-19 transmission resumed in-person education while schools in other areas continued to be conducted remotely. State media and telecommunication providers reduced Internet charges to facilitate remote learning. (4) In addition, the Department of Probation and Child Care Services introduced a new program called Mal Uyanata to assist children who left school and children who are vulnerable to dropping out of school. However, the School Child Protection Program, a program designed to empower children to protect themselves from human trafficking and child labor, was not implemented during the reporting period due to school closures related to the pandemic and a teacher strike. (1,40)
Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Sri Lanka (Table 11).
|
Area |
Suggested Action |
Year(s) Suggested |
|---|---|---|
|
Enforcement |
Collect and publish disaggregated information on investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences of cases involving forced child labor, child trafficking, child commercial sexual exploitation, and the use of children in illicit activities. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
Provide investigators with additional funding and adequate facilities, including transportation and facilities to record evidence, and human resources to adequately investigate forced labor, child trafficking, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. |
2011 – 2021 |
|
|
Provide adequate staffing in the northern and eastern provinces for the labor inspectorate to carry out inspections. |
2019 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that the Department of Labor has adequate funding. |
2021 |
|
|
Ensure labor inspectors have the authority to inspect private residences for violations against child workers regardless of whether a complaint is received. |
2021 |
|
|
Social Programs |
Ensure that the definition of child labor used in national child labor surveys to calculate child labor statistics clearly aligns with international standards. |
2017 – 2021 |
|
Eliminate barriers to education, including difficulties with transportation to schools and an inadequate number of teachers. |
2012 – 2021 |
|
|
Institute programs to address the risks of child labor in tea estates and in coastal, agricultural, mining, and firewood-producing areas. |
2019 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that activities are undertaken to implement social programs to address child labor. |
2020 – 2021 |
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. February 27, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. February 9, 2021.
- UNODC. Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. 2020.
https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/tip/2021/GLOTiP_2020_15jan_web.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. January 26, 2022.
- U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2021: Sri Lanka. Washington, D.C., June 2021.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/sri-lanka/ - UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed March 3, 2022. For more information, please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
http://data.uis.unesco.org/ - ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from Child Activity Survey (CAS), 2016. Analysis received March 2022. Please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. January 28, 2019.
- ILO and Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka. Report on the Child Activity Survey 2016 – Sri Lanka. February 21, 2017.
https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_IPEC_PUB_30055/lang--en/index.htm - ILO. Child Labor in Sri Lanka – At a Glance. 2018. Source on file.
- Vinodani, H.H.W., and S.W. Amarasinghe. Exploitation of Child Labour in the Informal Sector of Sri Lanka's Rural Economy; A Sociological Study in the Devinuwara Divisional Secretariat Area. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Humanities & Social Sciences. University of Ruhuna, 2017.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pannilage_Upali/publication/317661438_Avenues_Peace_Reconciliation_and_Development/links/5947987faca27242cda1cbe9/Avenues-Peace-Reconciliation-and-Development.pdf#page=184 - U.S. Embassy- Colombo official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. January 26, 2018.
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. January 12, 2018.
- Weerakoon, Rumesh, and M.D.J.W. Wijesinghe. The Health Consequences of Child Labour in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research Volume 6, No. 9. September 2017.
http://www.ijstr.org/final-print/sep2017/The-Health-Consequences-Of-Child-Labour-In-Sri-Lanka.pdf - Social Policy Analysis and Research Center. The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Sri Lanka: A Rapid Assessment. University of Colombo. August 2017. Source on file.
- ECPAT International. Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka. March 28, 2017. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. February 24, 2020.
- ILO CEACR. Observation 138. 2020.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4019413,103172:NO - Sri Lanka President claims drug traffickers are behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Colombo: ColomboPage. July 1, 2019.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_19A/Jul01_1561970690CH.php - Irshad, Qadijah. Sri Lanka president signs four death warrants to end decades long moratorium. Colombo: The Telegraph. June 26, 2019.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/06/26/sri-lanka-president-signs-four-death-warrants-end-decades-long/ - Yiannopoulos, Philip. Spilling the Tea in Sri Lanka. Foreign Policy, July 8, 2019.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/08/spilling-the-tea-in-sri-lanka/ - Save the Children. Child Rights Risk Assessment: Tea Industry Supply Chain in Sri Lanka. August 31, 2020.
https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/library/child-rights-risk-assessment-tea-industry-supply-chain-sri-lanka - U.S. Department of State official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. July 8, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. March 8, 2021.
- Pieris, D.M. Pamela. Child Sex Trafficking in the Tourism Sector in Sri Lanka. Save the Children and IOM. 2020.
https://srilanka.savethechildren.net/sites/srilanka.savethechildren.net/files/library/Child Sex Trafficking in the Tourism Sector in Sri Lanka_12thProof_.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act. Enacted: 2006.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/travail/docs/1658/EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN1.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Act, No. 2 of 2021. Enacted January 18, 2021.
http://www.labourdept.gov.lk/images/PDF_upload/NewAmendments/02-2021_e.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) (Amendment) Act, No. 1 of 2021. Enacted: January 18, 2021.
http://www.labourdept.gov.lk/images/PDF_upload/NewAmendments/01-2021_e.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Factories Ordinance (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 2021. Enacted: January 18, 2021.
http://www.labourdept.gov.lk/images/PDF_upload/NewAmendments/04-2021_e.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Minimum Wages (Indian Labour) (Amendment) Act No. 3 of 2021. Enacted: January 18, 2021.
http://www.labourdept.gov.lk/images/PDF_upload/NewAmendments/03-2021_e.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Hazardous Occupations Regulations, No. 1 of 2021. Enacted: November 15, 2021.
http://www.labourdept.gov.lk/images/PDF_upload/NewAmendments/2254-35_e.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Penal Code. Enacted: January 1, 1885. Amended 2006.
http://www.refworld.org/docid/4c03e2af2.html - Government of Sri Lanka. Education Ordinance. Enacted: 1939.
http://www.commonlii.org/lk/legis/consol_act/e381147.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Compulsory Attendance of Children at Schools Regulation No. 1 of 2015. Enacted: 2016. Source on file.
- CIA. The World Factbook: Sri Lanka. Accessed March 18, 2022.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sri-lanka/ - U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. February 7, 2022.
- International Labour Organization (ILO). Sri Lanka Labour: Inspection Structure and Organization. No date.
https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/country-profiles/asia/sri-lanka/WCMS_209369/lang--en/index.htm - Government of Sri Lanka. National Child Protection Authority Act, No. 50 of 1998. Enacted: 1998.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/WEBTEXT/52618/65161/E98LKA01.htm - Government of Sri Lanka. National Child Protection Authority: Functions of the National Child Protection Authority. 2020. Accessed March 9, 2021.
http://www.childprotection.gov.lk/?page_id=60 - U.S. Embassy- Colombo official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. March 11, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 2, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. June 16, 2021.
- Ranasinghe, Imesh. Sri Lanka police arrest 41 including one of their own with links to online sex-trafficking ring. Economy Next. July 13, 2021.
https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-police-arrest-41-including-one-of-their-own-with-links-to-online-sex-trafficking-ring-83991/ - U.S. Embassy- Colombo official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. February 14, 2019.
- Government of Sri Lanka. Grave Crime Abstract for the Year 2018 for the Whole Island From 01.01.2018 to 31.12.2018. 2018.
Source on file. - Government of Sri Lanka. Grave Crime Abstract for the Year 2019 for the Whole Island From 01.01.2019 to 31.12.2019. 2019.
Source on file. - Save the Children. Guidance note on the Identification, Protection and Referral of Child Victims of Trafficking 2021. Source on file.
- Government of Sri Lanka. National Strategic Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2021–2025). Source on file.
- Ministry of Labour, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development. The National Policy on Elimination of Child Labour in Sri Lanka. September 2017.
https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_717435/lang--en/index.htm - Government of Sri Lanka. National Strategic Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2021–2025). 2020. Source on file.
- ILO. Decent Work Country Programme- Sri Lanka 2018–2022. Project Document, May 2018.
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-colombo/documents/genericdocument/wcms_632743.pdf - Government of Sri Lanka. Awareness Programmes related to Elimination of Child Labour and Hazardous Child Labour. 2021. Source on file.
- Government of Sri Lanka. National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (2017–2021).
https://asiapacificgender.org/resources/458 - ColomboPage News. COPE recommends to expedite implementation of the National Policy on Child Protection. February 15, 2021.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_21A/Feb15_1613371908CH.php - Fonseka, Piyumi. Child sexual abuse crisis in Sri Lanka. Daily Mirror Sri Lanka. August 21, 2020.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/recomended-news/Child-sexual-abuse-crisis-in-Sri-Lanka/277-194218 - National Child Protection Authority. 1929 Childline Sri Lanka. Accessed January 13, 2017.
http://www.childprotection.gov.lk/?page_id=291 - U.S. Embassy- Colombo. Reporting. February 16, 2016.
- USDOL official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. February 25, 2020. Source on file.
- USDOL. Measurement, Awareness-Raising, and Policy Engagement (MAP 16) Project on Child Labor and Forced Labor. Accessed April 1, 2021.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/measurement-awareness-raising-and-policy-engagement-map-16-project-child-labor-and - U.S. Department of State official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 14, 2022.
- Government of Sri Lanka. Activities Conducted with Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA). March 8, 2021. Source on file.
- Department of Labour - Government of Sri Lanka. “Chalana Roo” Short Video Competition. 2021.
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