Sri Lanka has begun the first steps to build a stronger and fairer care system.

Sri Lanka has begun the first steps to build a stronger and fairer care system to better support families, workers, and communities. The move comes as the country faces a fast-growing older population and a rising need for quality care services.

By 2040, one in four Sri Lankans will be over 60 years old. To prepare for this, the Government, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), has started creating a National Roadmap and Action Plan on Care. This follows Cabinet approval of the National Social Protection Strategy in September 2025. The new plan was officially launched on October 29, on the International Day of Care and Support.

The plan will focus on both those who give care and those who receive it, aiming to ensure better working conditions for care workers and provide affordable, reliable, and accessible care services for everyone.

The work is led by the Inter-Ministerial Social Care Working Group, co-chaired by the Ministries of Women and Child Affairs, Rural Development and Social Security, and Labour, with participation from other key ministries.

ILO Country Director Joni Simpson said the care economy is vital for social well-being, economic growth, and gender equality. She noted that the ILO’s 5R Framework — Recognize, Reduce, Redistribute, Reward, and Represent — will guide Sri Lanka in building a fair, inclusive, and sustainable care system.

The final National Care Roadmap and Action Plan are expected to be launched in 2026.