Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) recently (18) launched the country’s first national Guidelines and Recommendations on Business and Human Rights, aimed at promoting responsible business conduct and embedding human rights principles into corporate policies and practices.

Issuing a statement, the HRCSL said the initiative was developed by the HRCSL’s Thematic Sub‑Committee on Business and Human Rights, with the initial concept paper prepared by its Research and Monitoring Division.

Anchored in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the guidelines provide a practical framework for businesses to respect human rights and prevent, mitigate, and address adverse impacts arising from business activities.

Technical assistance came under the EU‑funded project Just Business: Promoting the Adoption of Business and Human Rights in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, implemented by the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law and the Centre for a Smart Future. 

Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, including the private sector, the guidelines were reviewed by HRCSL’s Business and Human Rights Sub‑Committee and the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Sub‑Committee before publication.

At the launch, HRCSL Chairperson Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya emphasized that the guidelines “are not meant to hinder investment or economic growth but to support a responsible, sustainable business environment attractive to investors who value strong environmental, social and governance standards.” 

Commissioner Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke added that regulators and state actors should also use the guidelines as a reference in policymaking and litigation.

Representing the private sector, Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, said the initiative was a strategic move: “For Sri Lanka, this is not just an opportunity, but a necessity… to show that ‘made in Sri Lanka’ means not just quality, but quality and human rights.”

As global expectations for responsible business evolve, the guidelines are expected to serve as a reference point for companies, state‑owned enterprises, regulators, and civil society, supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth that respects human rights. (Newswire)

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The Ministries of Digital Economy and Public Administration have jointly introduced interim guidelines for heads of government institutions on the optimal use of digital technologies in delivering public services remotely. 

According to the Ministry of Digital Economy, the move follows a Cabinet Committee directive aimed at ensuring the systematic maintenance of public services amid ongoing energy challenges.

The Cabinet Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, instructed the Ministry of Digital Economy to explore remote work options in consultation with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. 

The decision comes against the backdrop of unrest in the Middle East since February 28, 2026, and global economic trends that have strained Sri Lanka’s fuel supply and energy management.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Digital Economy has compiled guidelines in all three languages, available at https://mode.gov.lk/docs/guidelines. The document outlines approved methods for conducting administrative and service delivery activities from home or office using digital technology.

The guidelines state that under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, government documents created, approved, and circulated electronically are legally valid. Scanned signatures, digital signatures, and approvals via official government email are recognized as authentic.

The government’s official video conferencing platform, https://meet.gov.lk, introduced during the Covid‑19 pandemic, has been recommended as the primary tool for official communication, with commercial platforms permitted as alternatives for limited periods.

Heads of Departments have been encouraged to strengthen the digital skills of officers and staff, while ensuring strict protection of official information. The initiative aligns with the Digital Economy Blueprint, a priority development program of the current government.

The Ministry of Public Administration has also issued Circular No. 02/2026 dated April 23, instructing Secretaries of Ministries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and all Heads of Departments to inform public officials of the guidelines and ensure implementation.

Institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Public Administration, and the Ministry of Digital Economy, are coordinating efforts to embed these practices across the public, the ministry added in a statement. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has introduced its first national guideline series on the use of oxygen in government hospitals, under the patronage of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.  

The initiative, prepared by the Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF, aims to standardize oxygen use in patient care and strengthen technical knowledge among medical administrators, specialists, and health professionals.

According to the Ministry of Health, Additional Secretary (Medical Services) Kumara Wickramasinghe led the compilation of the guidelines, which were formally handed over to Minister Jayatissa.

Alongside the launch, a series of training programs has begun, with 100 health professionals, including specialist doctors, set to be trained. They will then train staff at the district and provincial levels to ensure consistent practices across hospitals.

Addressing the launch event in Colombo recently, Minister Jayatissa noted that the government spends a significant sum annually on oxygen for hospital services, and emphasized that the guidelines and training programs would improve the quality and organization of patient care. 

He also highlighted that oxygen production units have already been established at Tissamaharama Base Hospital, Avissawella District General Hospital, Udugama Base Hospital, and Kegalle District General Hospital, meeting local needs and supplying surplus oxygen to other hospitals.

The event was attended by UNICEF Sri Lanka Resident Representative Emma Brigham, UNICEF Health and Nutrition Manager Abner Daniel, senior officials of the Health Ministry, hospital directors, provincial and regional health directors, medical faculty representatives, and specialist doctors. (Newswire)

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The Commissioner General of Essential Services, B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi has issued a new set of guidelines to ensure the sparing use of fuel and electricity, citing possible disruptions to fuel imports due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East.

The guidelines, released on Monday (23) to all Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, District Secretaries, and heads of statutory institutions, outline measures for staff transport, fuel management, and energy conservation in government offices.

Officials have been instructed to use public transport or carpooling instead of individual vehicles when reporting for duty, and to prepare daily transport plans that minimize the number of vehicles used for fieldwork. 

Heads of institutions have also been directed to arrange online work methods, such as Zoom or Google Meet, where technical facilities exist, to reduce unnecessary travel.

On electricity conservation, the guidelines call for maximizing natural light, using fans instead of air conditioning where possible, minimizing the use of lifts, and promoting staircases. 

Street lamps controlled by local authorities should be switched off when unnecessary, while lights on roads outside high‑security zones should be temporarily turned off. 

Advertising screens and televisions in institutions are to be deactivated during daytime, and offices should remain closed after working hours and on weekends except in essential circumstances.

Commissioner General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi stated that, in the face of the prevailing global situation, all state officials must act as examples to the public for national energy security. (Newswire)

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The South Asian Women in Media – Sri Lanka (SAWM‑SL) has presented its draft Guidelines for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Media to Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyarathne, marking a key initiative under its International Women’s Month 2026 programme.

The handover, held at the Deputy Minister’s office last week (10), was followed by a wide-ranging discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Sri Lanka’s media sector in an era of rapid technological change. 

Deputy Minister Ariyarathne welcomed the guidelines as both timely and necessary, acknowledging the growing urgency of addressing AI’s ethical implications for journalism.

Discussions touched on several pressing priorities: responsible AI adoption across media institutions, the digital empowerment of women journalists, and the critical need to strengthen digital literacy in rural communities, particularly among women. The discussions also explored the value of gender audits within newsrooms, more innovative approaches to professional training beyond conventional workshops, and raising the standards of awards and recognition for media professionals.

The draft guidelines, developed by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa, are the product of an extensive consultative process led by SAWM – SL, grounded in a comprehensive research report, also by Dr Hattotuwa, examining the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, The report addresses both the promise and the perils of emerging AI technologies, with particular attention to the growing threat of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

Developed as an annex to the Code of Ethics of the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, the guidelines expand existing ethical standards to encompass electronic, web-based, online, and social media platforms. They are designed to help media organisations harness AI responsibly, upholding human rights, protecting individuals from harm, and ensuring that the digital transformation of journalism does not come at the cost of safety, equity, or integrity.

Following the meeting with the Deputy Minister, SAWM – SL engaged print, broadcast, and digital media institutions across Colombo, sharing the draft guidelines with heads, directors, and editors at Sri Lanka Rupavahini, Lake House, Anidda, MTV, Echelon Media, Express Newspapers Ceylon Ltd, Newswire, and Liberty Publishers. These meetings generated productive discussion on the use of AI in newsrooms and on incorporating the guidelines into Sri Lanka’s national media ethics framework.

SAWM-SL said it will continue engaging media institutions in the weeks ahead to broaden these conversations.

“A principled, collaborative approach to AI ethics is not optional; it is essential,” said a SAWM-SL spokesperson, noting, “As the media landscape evolves at a pace, we must ensure that the values of fairness, safety, and accountability evolve with it.”

Founded in Colombo in September 2009, SAWM-SL is Sri Lanka’s first all-women media association. An independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization, SAWM-SL is committed to advancing the rights, voices, and leadership of women in Sri Lanka’s media by mobilizing women media professionals, promoting gender sensitive journalism, advocating for equal opportunity and creating a platform for dialogue and action. It is also affiliated with the regional SAWM network spanning all SAARC countries. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Education has issued a circular on the appropriate actions to be taken due to the current high temperatures and weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, the ministry has issued recommendations to all Provincial Secretaries and Education Directors on the appropriate actions to be taken with regard to schools.

The ministry recommends that students be prevented from engaging in outdoor activities or being exposed to high temperatures, citing potential risks for heat cramps, strokes and exhaustion. 

Relevant authorities have been instructed to factor in high temperatures when organizing sports meets and outdoor events. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Public Administration has issued guidelines to be followed when approving domestic and foreign unpaid leave for public officials.

As per a special notice issued to all District Secretaries, unpaid leave for public officials is to be granted without affecting their pension entitlements.

According to the Ministry, it has been found that some officials had applied for domestic leave for up to five years and had also applied for foreign leave without properly cancelling their prior domestic leave.

The new guidelines make it mandatory for applications for foreign leave to include a comprehensive review of the applicant’s leave history.

District Secretaries are also tasked with verifying and documenting details of previously obtained domestic and foreign leave in the cover letters accompanying the applications.

The new guidelines aim to address irregularities observed in the leave approval process and ensure compliance with the Public Administration Circular dated June 22, 2022. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways together with the National Council for Road Safety has issued guidelines for drivers using the various expressways in Sri Lanka during the upcoming festive season.

The guidelines consist of warnings related to exceeding the speed limit, drinking and driving, texting and calling while driving, among other traffic offences. 

Meanwhile, an assessment of accidents on the Southern Expressway by the Expressway Road Safety Committee reveals that 56% of accidents are caused due to the actions of drivers.

The assessment further reveals that 9% of the accidents are related to vehicle defaults, and 33% are by third parties. (Newswire)

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The government has issued new guidelines for the prevention of injuries and acute medical conditions related to sports events organized in view of the upcoming April festive season. 

The Health Ministry states irrespective of nationality and religion, each event presents its own set of challenges in terms of crowd management, environmental hazards and health risks, in addition to the risks inherent in each sporting event.

Similarly, sports events organized during festival seasons in Sri Lanka bring together communities in celebration and competition. However, alongside the excitement of competition, there exists a potential for injuries and acute medical conditions to occur, necessitating comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of participants and spectators alike.

Recognizing the importance of safeguarding public health and promoting safety during sports events held amidst festival celebrations, these guidelines have been developed to address the unique challenges associated with such events to mitigate the risks associated with injuries and acute medical conditions, the ministry added. 

The following general guidelines have been issued to be followed in all sporting events and for identified specific events: https://shorturl.at/inMOW (Newswire)

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In a significant development for Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the National Guidelines for the Management of Shelters for Victim-survivors of SGBV were recently launched by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, following Cabinet approval. 

According to a statement by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, this marks a crucial milestone in enhancing the quality of services for victim-survivors, addressing the current lack of regulatory oversight for shelter homes catering to SGBV victim-survivors.

These guidelines are the result of a collaborative effort led by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment together with UNDP Sri Lanka, as a key component of the ‘Enabling Access to Justice for Victim-Survivors of SGBV in Sri Lanka’ project, a joint initiative with UNDP and UNFPA Sri Lanka, with funding from the Government of Canada.

“The National Guidelines is a critical milestone in regulating and streamlining the services provided for victim-survivors of SGBV. The Ministry will use this yardstick to ensure that these services are monitored and managed in line with the stipulated standards,” noted Champa Upasena, Director Women’s Bureau of the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment.

The guidelines will establish a State-led management system to register, monitor, and enhance the quality of services for victim-survivors, particularly those experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence (DV), seeking refuge in shelters. This initiative will significantly improve access to justice by providing a regulatory framework for assessing and enhancing shelter services provided by both state and private entities. Management and monitoring structures will be established at the Divisional, District, and National levels, involving existing government officials such as Secretaries to relevant line ministries, representatives from the National Women’s Commission, Women’s Bureau, Police, and Probation Services.

Highlighting UNDP’s lead role in pushing this agenda, Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka, stated, “Through the social dialogues that have accompanied the mobile gender exhibition supported by the Government of Canada, it has become clear that women and girls face greater risks at home, and are often left with inadequate support due to shortages of shelters and their lack of ability to provide a comprehensive support package. The cascading crisis that the Sri Lankan community has faced has elevated the relevance of the guidelines and it is our sincere hope that they will be a critical step towards ensuring that victim-survivors of SGBV have access to safe and supportive shelter services.”

Looking ahead, UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment, will conduct a nationwide assessment of all shelters against the new guidelines. This assessment will serve as a foundation for operationalizing the guidelines at the national and sub-national levels, ensuring that victim-survivors receive the quality services they deserve.

These guidelines signify a stride towards ensuring that victim-survivors of SGBV in Sri Lanka receive the support and protection they deserve. This initiative not only sets a new standard for shelter services but also underscores the collective determination to address SGBV comprehensively. Together, we are building a safer and more just future for all. (NewsWire)

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The Department of Sports Development has issued a new circular on the guidelines to be followed for marathons and long-distance sprint events organized by schools and for the public. 

As per the circular, it is mandatory for all athletes participating in marathons and long-distance sprint events to undergo a medical checkup.

The athletes involved in marathon races must also provide a medical report and ECG report to the doctor on-site at events in order to be eligible to participate. 

The measures have been taken after considering the unfortunate deaths of athletes reported recently due to the prevalent hot weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCLS) has announced plans to release a set of guidelines and recommendations on the protection of human rights defenders in Sri Lanka.

Issuing a statement, the HRCSL said that it would also engage in a consultative process to finalize these guidelines and recommendations. 

The announcement was made during a discussion held last week between the HRCLS members and representatives of civil society organisations in Sri Lanka to discuss the Commission’s current programme and future plans.

The HRCSL said the meeting also provided an opportunity for civil society representatives to share their experiences, concerns, and recommendations with the Commission. 

The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, and attended by commissioners Prof. Thaiyamuthu Thanaraj, Prof. Farzana Haniffa, Mr. Nimal Punchchihewa, and Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke, and the directors and senior staff of the Commission. 

Civil society representatives shared their experiences and concerns at the meeting, including threats to democratic and civic space in Sri Lanka, the harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders in the course of their work, the importance of protecting, promoting and fulfilling economic, social and cultural rights, and challenges faced by persons with disabilities, particularly in the transport sector. 

Civil society representatives also expressed their interest in working closely with the Commission through its thematic subcommittees. 

They further emphasized the need for the proactive disclosure of information including past inquiry reports and the need for strengthening the Commission’s complaints mechanisms including its hotline. 

The HRCSL also assured civil society representatives that the thematic sub-committee system would be re-established along with the participation of civil society experts and a process for constituting these sub-committees would be launched shortly. 

The Commission has invited civil society representatives to continue to engage and work closely with the Commission in strengthening the protection, promotion and fulfilment of human rights in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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