Manusha Media

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said today (17) that the demands for systemic change voiced by the public on the streets have been achieved within the Ministry over the past two years, with necessary policy adjustments implemented.

The minister made this statement today (17) when he participated in the special event organized by the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

The Minister noted that many positive changes have been made in Sri Lanka’s labor sector and highlighted that steps were taken to lay the foundation for these changes at the end of last year

The Minister went on to say ;

“Nearly two years ago, the public took to the streets, demanding a change in the system. However, their true desire went beyond simply replacing top officials; it encompassed a comprehensive transformation of the system itself.

That’s why we needed national policies. We aimed to establish a program that remains unchanged regardless of personnel shifts. Over the past two years, our ministry has successfully implemented this program.

We developed a migration policy and revisited the labor policy. Additionally, we introduced relevant policies to create a safe work environment and successfully changed labor laws. Furthermore, we brought about policy changes by amending the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act.

Also, we were able to digitize the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment as well as the Labour Department. Additionally, we launched the Garu Saru Program, which promote dignity of labour, a concept that was not even considered during colonial times.

We were able to create a policy change, which is the most basic thing needed to effect change in the system. Everyone in the ministry was committed to it. This represents the real aragalaya, where all public servants work diligently together to bring about a change in the system.

Building the country through hard work is the true struggle. In these past two years, we have accomplished tasks that were previously deemed impossible for many years.”