Fair Treatment
Equal Pay
In accordance with the Constitution of Sri Lanka, all persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protections of the law. It also prohibits discrimination on the ground of sex besides many other grounds. However, neither in Constitution nor in Labour Laws, we find a provision requiring equal pay for work of equal value.
Source: §12 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka 1978
Non-Discrimination
In accordance with the Constitution, there cannot be any discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any one of such grounds. There is no special provision in constitution or labour laws to prevent discrimination in employment related matters. Laws also prohibit discrimination against disabled persons in matters of employment as well as workers involved in union activities.
Constitution of Sri Lanka gives every person the right to apply to the Supreme Court in respect of violations of fundamental rights by the State (executive action). It is not clear whether individuals can obtain redressal with respect to discrimination by the private sector employers.
Source: §12 & 17 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka 1978
Equal Choice of Profession
In accordance with the Sri Lankan Constitution, Every citizen is entitled to the freedom to engage by himself or in association with others in any lawful occupation, profession, trade, business or enterprise. However, certain labour law prohibit employment of women in the same industries as men (especially mining sector).
Source: §14(1)(g) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka1978; §02 of the Employment of Females in Mines Ordinance, 1937; §86 of Factories Ordinance
Regulations on Fair Treatment
- 1942 කර්මාන්තශාලා ආඥාපනත / 1942 ஆம் ஆண்டு தொழிற்சாலை கட்டளைச்சட்டம் / Factories Ordinance, 1942
- 2010 වර්ෂය දක්වා සංශෝධනය කරන ලද පරිදි 1978 ශ්රී ලංකා ආණ්ඩුක්රම ව්යවස්ථාව / 1978 இலங்கை யாப்பு 2010 வரை திருத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது / The Constitution of Sri Lanka 1978, amended up to 2015
- 1885 දණ්ඩ නීති සංග්රහය / குற்றவியல் சட்டக்கோவை 1885 / Penal Code, 1885
