The government had recently decided to increase the compulsory education of a child in this country to 16 years. Accordingly, the age limit previously mentioned as 14 years was revised.
The Minister of Labor Nimal Siripala de Silva stated that the purpose of these four amendments is to increase the recruitment age of a Sri Lankan to 16 years.
These Acts are being amended in accordance with the Convention on the Elimination of Child Labor of the World Labor Organization, signed and ratified by Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, the Shops and Office Employees Act No. 19 of 1954, the Factories Ordinance No. 45 of 1942, the Employment of Women, Youth and Children Act No. 47 of 1956 and the Minimum Wage of Indian Workers (Amendment) Act No. 27 of 1927 are compulsory for the age of education. Simultaneously revised.
After this amendment, it will be illegal to employ anyone under the age of 16 in any job.
However, the Minister pointed out that the amendment does not prevent a child under the age of 13 from participating in the agri-business activities of his parents or family before or after the commencement of school and in any business activities organized for an educational institution or charitable activities.