Sri Lanka has formally ratified ILO Convention 190 (C190) on eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. On April 16, 2026, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, deposited the instrument of ratification with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo — making it official. Sri Lanka is the 55th country to ratify C190.

C190 is the first international instrument to establish a comprehensive basis for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. This is a significant step towards ensuring safe, dignified workplaces, especially for women workers. The struggle now moves to implementation—to make sure these protections are realised in every workplace.

The ratification is the result of years of sustained organising. PSI affiliates, along with other Trade Unions, brought together 20 to 30 unions in training programmes, awareness drives, and sustained advocacy with decision-makers. The Ceylon Workers Congress collected over 10,000 worker signatures in a petition that became a major milestone in the campaign. 

“This is a hard-won victory. The ratification of ILO Convention 190 has come after years of struggle by trade unions and persistent advocacy led by women workers. The ratification recognises our right to safe and dignified workplaces. But this is half battle won. Now we must ensure that it is fully implemented and safety and dignity at work is not merely on papers for women workers,” said Samudra Gunawardana, member of PSI’s Asia Pacific Regional Executive Committee (APREC) and member of Public Services United Nurses’ Union (PSUNU). 

For more details, read our previous article here.