Child Rights in Sri Lanka


Against a backdrop of civil unrest, economic collapse and natural disasters, Sri Lanka has done well to advance the situation of children across the country including action to address child labour - yet challenges persist. Today 2.3% of the country’s 4.5 million children are working, half of which are engaged in child labour and some engage in the worst forms of child labour. 


As many as 85% of Sri Lanka’s working children reside in rural areas and the majority of them work within the service sector. They are often in precarious conditions that harm their health and safety. A child rights risk assessment of Sri Lanka's tea industry carried out by The Centre for Save the Children in 2020 found that child labour, low wages of parents, poor living conditions and lack of day-care among others, all pose risks to children linked to the agricultural sector. Working children also face challenges accessing education, with only 39% of them attending school in 2016. 


The Sri Lankan economic crisis in 2022 is having a devasting impact on the nation's population, with fuel, medicine and food running out. The island nation is facing a food crisis and children are at risk of malnutrition. Fuel shortages are also making it difficult for children to go to school and for parents to go to work. Coupled with rising prices, the situation is increasingly worrisome for children and families in Sri Lanka. 


Supporting You in Sri Lanka


The Centre has an office and full-time staff in Sri Lanka and is working in close partnership with Save the Children to implement the Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business –  an initiative that is currently targeting business entities in the tea sector but will be scaled to other industries in the future. The Centre has also conducted child rights and risk assessments to help different actors along the tea supply chain to deepen their understanding of child rights risks in plantation settings. All of The Centre’s services are available in Sri Lanka. 


Browse Our Work in Sri Lanka


Empowering Women in the Workplace: Insights from the Tea Industry
08/03/2023 | News
Empowering Women in the Workplace: Insights from the Tea Industry
In conjunction with International Women's day, join us as we interview Mrs. Niluza Badurdeen, Director Strategy and Finance of English Tea Shop Organic.
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/index.php/news-and-events/empowering-women-in-the-workplace-insights-from-the-tea-industry.html
Introducing the Child Rights in Business (CRIB) Podcast
23/02/2023 | News
Introducing the Child Rights in Business (CRIB) Podcast
The Centre of Child Rights and Business (The Centre) is excited to announce our CRIB podcast series.
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/index.php/news-and-events/introducing-the-child-rights-in-business-crib-podcast.html
YouTube Playlist: Replay of Sri Lanka “Towards A Family-Friendly Tea Industry” Conference
20/12/2022 | Project updates
YouTube Playlist: Replay of Sri Lanka “Towards A Family-Friendly Tea Industry” Conference
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/index.php/impact/youtube-playlist-replay-of-sri-lanka-towards-a-family-friendly-tea-industry-conference.html
Press Release | The Centre Hosted Multi-Stakeholder ‘Towards a Family-Friendly Tea Industry’ Conference
23/11/2022 | News
Press Release | The Centre Hosted Multi-Stakeholder ‘Towards a Family-Friendly Tea Industry’ Conference
The one-day conference, supported by Save the Children’s Country Office in Sri Lanka, brought together child rights specialists, women trade union activists, government entities, regional plantation companies, tea exporters, and other stakeholders from the entire tea supply chain.
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/index.php/news-and-events/press-release-the-centre-hosted-first-multi-stakeholder-towards-a-family-friendly-tea-industry-conference.html
Nov 22 | "Towards A Family-Friendly Tea Industry" Sri Lanka Conference
14/11/2022 | News
Nov 22 | "Towards A Family-Friendly Tea Industry" Sri Lanka Conference
Join us at a one-day conference for tea sector stakeholders and NGOs in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/nov-22-towards-a-family-friendly-tea-industry-sri-lanka-conference.html
Nov 22 | "Towards A Family-Friendly Tea Industry" Sri Lanka Conference
14/11/2022 | News
Nov 22 | "Towards A Family-Friendly Tea Industry" Sri Lanka Conference
Participate at The Centre's one-day conference for tea sector stakeholders, partners and NGOs in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/nov-22-towards-a-family-friendly-tea-industry-sri-lanka-conference.html
The Centre, Save the Children and English Tea Shop Launches First Ever Company-Invested Child Benefit Allowance Initiative in Sri Lanka
27/07/2022 | Project updates
The Centre, Save the Children and English Tea Shop Launches First Ever Company-Invested Child Benefit Allowance Initiative in Sri Lanka
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/index.php/impact/the-centre-save-the-children-and-english-tea-shop-launches-first-ever-company-invested-child-benefit-allowance-initiative-in-sri-lanka.html
Watch the Replay of the Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business Launch Event
23/06/2022 | Project updates
Watch the Replay of the Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business Launch Event
Watch a replay of the full launch event in Sri Lanka on June 15, 2022
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/index.php/impact/watch-the-replay-of-the-mother-and-child-friendly-seal-for-responsible-business-launch-event.html
Seven Business Entities in Sri Lanka’s Tea Sector Sign Pledge to Join the Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business
17/06/2022 | News
Seven Business Entities in Sri Lanka’s Tea Sector Sign Pledge to Join the Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business
The launch event in Colombo on June 15 saw seven business entities involved in Sri Lanka’s tea industry signed a pledge to join the initiative.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/seven-business-entities-in-sri-lanka-s-tea-sector-sign-pledge-to-join-the-mother-and-child-friendly-seal-for-responsible-business.html
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