The work force in Sri Lanka

Necessary information on how it functions

Sri Lanka’s employment system functions similarly to the rest of the world, with a fair workweek and time allowances for sick and holiday leave.

Hours of operation

A normal workweek for most offices in Sri Lanka will be Monday through Friday from around 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Post offices and banks usually open at 9am and close at 3pm on weekdays. Some banks are also open on Saturdays and some offices will be be open until 1pm on Saturdays. 

Most shops are open from 10am to 7pm on weekdays, and until 3pm on Saturdays. Most restaurants, specifically tourist restaurants, will be open from 8am to 11pm, and bars generally close by midnight.

Keep in mind that businesses run by Muslims may be closed for an extended lunch break on Fridays so staff can attend Friday prayers. 

Laws on work hours and holidays

Three laws divide Sri Lanka’s employed, and they determine the different work hours of employees, rest intervals and holidays. 

• Shop and Office Employees Act of 1954 - employees of a shop or office.
• Factories Ordinance of 1950 - employees of: a manufacturing process, charitable or reformatory work, technical or vocational training (manual labour such as making, altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, washing, cleaning, or adapting for sale).
• Wages Board Ordinance of 1941 - other trades not listed above, which are listed under the Ordinance.

All people employed in Sri Lanka, no matter which of the three laws the employee is categorized as, will have leave for the following: casual leave and annual leave (vacation or private holiday), sick leave, maternity leave, public holidays, Poya holidays (a Buddhist public holiday which occurs every full moon).

Private and public sector

Sri Lanka also categorizes workers as employees of either the private or public sector. Workers in the public sector are hired as permanent employees. It is presumed that the employee will continue to work until retirement at the age of 55 years.

Employees of the private sector fall into one of the following categories: 

• Probationers - Generally work for a six-month time period, but is sometimes extended for an additional three months.
• Apprentices - Work on a temporary basis, and the time period depends on how long their skills or trade is required.
• Temporary and seasonal workers - Hired on the basis of a particular task required for a defined time period.
• Contract workers - Work according to a specified job description for a fixed pay that does not involve overtime payments or additional ad hoc allowances.