The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the development of a labour migration policy framework for Sri Lanka. While Sri Lanka’s labour policy has traditionally focused on managing the outbound migration (emigration) of Sri Lankan workers, there is now a growing demand in several sectors for skilled, semi-skilled, and specialist foreign workers. At present, immigration-related labour regulation is handled through multiple administrative procedures across several institutions, leading to fragmented oversight. 

The need for a centralised information system and a more structured regulatory approach has been identified. Taking these factors into account, a national policy on inbound labour migration will be formulated. The proposed framework will establish a coordinated, transparent, and structured national system for admitting, employing, monitoring, protecting, and regulating foreign workers who come to Sri Lanka for employment purposes. It will also ensure the protection of employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers.

Accordingly, Cabinet approval has been granted to develop the policy, and an operational committee chaired by the Labour Ministry Secretary has been appointed to prepare the draft policy, as proposed by the Labour Minister.