An expert committee is conducting consultations to implement comprehensive labour reforms aimed at protecting workers while promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka, said Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, at the General Assembly of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) today.

He stated that while Sri Lanka accelerates into a technology- and AI-driven future, the country remains firmly committed to social justice, labour rights, and the dignity of work.

The global discourse surrounding artificial intelligence, he noted, is often trapped in a persistent debate on striking a “balance” between machine intervention and human labour, or framed as a defensive effort to protect workers from technological displacement.

“Sri Lanka proposes a shift in this paradigm, to start viewing technology and AI as a catalyst to re-architect production relations in order to enhance productivity and value generation for shared prosperity,” he said.

He added that the objectives of labour policy should remain focused on accessibility to quality jobs, fair distribution of value, and ensuring a better quality of life.

Fernando disclosed that recent research by Sri Lanka’s Institute of Policy Studies, using ILO methodologies, indicates that around 22.8 percent of the Sri Lankan employed population is exposed to generative AI. He noted that this exposure is particularly concentrated in professional “office jobs” traditionally considered safe pathways for upward mobility, while occupations in agriculture, craftsmanship, and informal sectors remain comparatively less exposed.

He further stated that Sri Lanka sees an opportunity to transform the labour landscape by integrating AI into production systems.

“We are positioning AI as a multiplier to make professional sectors more productive, a catalyst to transition workers into high-value roles, and a transformative force to make traditional agriculture and the informal sector more productive and attractive,” he said.

He added that Sri Lanka is leveraging AI to unlock human potential, emphasizing that the country’s strategy is defined by adoption, adaptation, and acceleration.

“As an emerging economy, Sri Lanka is building an AI-first mindset directly into our institutions,” he said.