The provisions relating to the implementation of the official language policy of Sri Lanka are stipulated in Articles 18-25 of the Constitution, which provide for the provision of services to the citizen in the Official Languages, National Languages and Link languages. Accordingly, Article 25 of the Constitution states that the government shall facilitate the said matter. Accordingly, the National Language Division has been established under the Ministry of Justice and National Integration by the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2412/08 and dated 25.11.2024.
The implementation of the Official Language Policy (OLP) in Sri Lanka is a collective effort and is enshrined in constitutional provisions. It also requires all stakeholders to move forward consistently, coherently and collectively to implement the Official Language Policy (OLP) effectively. In addition, language rights are a necessary condition for ensuring equal access to public services, and the government, as a client, is responsible for creating those opportunities.
The primary responsibility of the National Language Division is to formulate, implement and monitor policies related to the implementation of the Official Language Policy. Two (02) Provincial Centers have been established in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Kilinochchi and Batticaloa, and the Department of Official Languages, the Official Language Commission and the National Language Education and Training Institute are supervised and coordinated under the National Language Division. Furthermore, the ‘Language Call Center’, which operates as a hotline number 1956, which was started in 2012, also operates under the National Language Division.
Functions performed by the Division
1. Formulation and implementation of policies, plans related to the effective and efficient implementation of the official language policy
2. Program monitoring and institutional coordination
3. Technical facilitation for programs related to the implementation of the official language policy
Introduction
The Prison Affairs Division, while undertaking a comprehensive reform of the prison administration giving emphasis for resolving issues arisen in respect of service of the prison officers, formulates, supervises and follows up the necessary policies to carry out the rehabilitation process in a more systematic manner with the aim of adapting the inmates to society as good citizens upon their release from incarceration. Additionally, the necessary policies are developed, overseen, and implemented to broaden the community correction system as the primary alternative to prison overcrowding, as well as to rehabilitate individuals who are addicted to drugs and referred to the Rehabilitation Bureau by the court as productive individuals for society, and to formulate, monitor and follow up the necessary policies to enhance economic, social and welfare activities to make their lives successful after the rehabilitation period is over and they are reintegrated into society.
3.7.1.1 Functions performed by the Division
- All progress review activities relating to the Department of Prisons, the Department of Community Based Corrections and the Bureau of Rehabilitation.
- Project monitoring and follow-up activities relating to the Department of Prisons, the Department of Community Based Corrections and the Bureau of Rehabilitation.
- Preparation of Cabinet Memoranda and project proposals relating to the Department of Prisons, the Department of Community Based Corrections and the Bureau of Rehabilitation.
- Obtaining daily reports, updating statistical reports and analyzing data regarding the detainees held by the Department of Prisons, the Department of Community Based Corrections and the Bureau of Rehabilitation.
- Progress review, data analysis, identification of issues and following up activities to promote the prison industry sector.
- Receiving, coordinating and monitoring progress reports, action plan reports and development project reports of the Department of Prisons, Community Based Corrections Department and the Rehabilitation Bureau
- Taking steps to eliminate anti-social activities in prisons.
- Taking necessary measures to develop prison infrastructure.
- Establishing modern technological methods for monitoring criminals in prisons.
- Developing a comprehensive system for the rehabilitation of prisoners.
- Commuting prisoners based on good behavior’
- Reviewing the files of young offenders who are about to be released and submitting them for approval based on Commutation.
- Releasing prisoners on licenses.
- Dealing with prisoners who have violated the conditions of their releasing licenses.
- Changing the administrative supervisory officers of prisoners released on licenses.
- Sending prisoners on home leave.
- Matters relating to the requests of prisoners and recipients of rehabilitation.
- Matters relating to the submission of review reports of prisoners.
- Health care promotion activities of prisoners and rehabilitation trainees.
- Activities regarding escapes and violations of orders by prisoners, rehabilitation trainees and correctional order recipients’
- Coordination activities with relevant parties regarding special need prisoners/suspects.
- Coordination and operational activities for requests received for obtaining labor from prisoners.
- Prison Renovation Activities.
- Coordination activities related to the repair of prison institutions.
- Land Acquisition, takeover and repossession and release of possession relatinng to the Department of Prisons and the Rehabilitation Bureau.
- Determining securities for prison officers.
- Establishing visiting committees for prison institutions and following up on related activities
- Developing and following up on the prison information technology system.
Contact Details
H.M.N.C.Dhanasinghe
Additional Secretary(Prisons and Rehabilitation affairs)
+94 112 868 079
+94 112 883 729
C.N. Lokuhetti
Director(Planning)
+94 112 883 936
+94 112 883 936
Introduction
There are 39 Labour tribunals to hear and resolve applications related to complaints received under Section 31 (b) of the Industrial Disputes Act No. 43 of 1950. Recruitment of officials, promotion of officials, transfers, retirements and provision of infrastructure for those Labor Tribunals are the main functions of the Office of the Secretary Labor Tribunal. Labor tribunals have been introduced by the Industrial Disputes Act to settle industrial disputes.
Who can be benefitted by the Labour Tribunal?
- All employees in the private sector./li>
- Domestic servants.
- Semi government servants.(employees of the Statutory boards, State cooperations and beaureos)
As Government employees are excluded from the Industrial Disputes Act, they are eligible for relief in fundamental rights cases (Supreme Court) and writ order cases (Appellate Court) in accordance with the constitution for employment-related disputes. Non government servants are also equally qualified to claim their rights as the government servants. Therefore the semi government servants are entitled to claim their rights through the constitution as well as the Industrial Disputes Act.
What nature of relief can be expected from the Labour Tribunal?
According to the clause 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act, it is quite evident that an application can be filed in order to seek the following relief.
- Back wages with regard to the termination.
- Reinstatement with or without back wages.
- Compensation.
Pensions gratuity and pension related benefits.
- Compensation as an alternative to the reinstatement.
According to the 31(b) clause of the Industrial Disputes Act
- When termination is declared or implied by the employer
- Despite of the nature of termination claiming gratuity in small scale institutions where the cadre is less than 15 personnel specially during the period of 12 months before the termination.
- Deprivation of gratuity according to the 13 clause of the Gratuity Act.
- Violations of the rules and regulations laid out by the minister with regard to the employment. (Since these rules and regulations have not yet been laid out this jurisdiction is not presently exercised)
Within what time should a case be filed in a Labor Tribunal?
- Within 06 months from the date of becoming aware of termination of service.
Who can submit an application in order to gain relief?
- The terminated employee is able to submit an application by himself.
- In the instances where the terminated employee is a member of a trade union the chairman or the secretary of the trade union is able to forward an application on behalf of the employee.
- An attorney is able to submit an application and file a case on behalf of an employee or a trade union.
Vision
Assurance of job security of the Employees attached to the non government sector.
Mission
Assurance of job security of the Employees attached to the non government sector by way speedy,just and efficient mechanism of administration of justice with the assistance of the energetic,dynamic and trained staff.
Function
For the smooth functioning and the proper maintenance of the Labour Tribunals,the Labour Tribunal Secretariat mainly takes the charge in providing necessary human resources and management services.
Contact Details
Secretary,
Office of the Secretary Labour Tribunals,
No.19,
Sri Sangaraja Mw,
Colombo 10.
+94 112 478 339
In the process of realization of objectives and goals of the Ministry, based on examining as to whether those functions are set in planned manner and as to whether the relevant financial, physical, and human resources are being utilized optimally and providing necessary guidance and direction while:
- Evaluating as to whether the quantitative and qualitative aspects of internal control procedures for the financial operations of the Ministry, its affiliated institutions, departments and courts and examining as to whether those are put in place continuously, and making recommendations to improve existing internal control systems.
- Reviewing the progress of development programs and projects of the Ministry and all its entities in achieving their objectives and making the relevant Divisions aware of them accordingly.
- Providing necessary advisory services for risk management when the Ministry and all entities coming within its purview are experiencing in achieving their objectives.
Contact Information
Chief Internal Auditor – Mrs. L.D.T.I. Siriwardana
Telephone Numbers
- Chief Internal Auditor - 011-2424130
- General - 011-2445519
Functions of Planning Division
The Planning Division identifies, supervises, reviews the projects launched by the Ministry and its institutions.The following tasks are performed by the Planning Division under that mission.
- Identify projects related to the field of justice.
- Projects are referred to the National Procurement Department for approval.
- Submission of Cabinet Memorandum for preliminary approval for new projects.
- Inclusion of the Ministry's development projects in the Public Investment Plan.
- Preparation of capital budget estimates related to ministry and judicial administration expenditure heads.
- Preparation of budget proposals for the budget speech.
- Reviewing progress and reporting progress to concerned Institutions.
- Prepare the annual progress report of the Ministry and present it for the budget debate.
- Presentation of the annual performance report of the Ministry in
- Obtaining Cabinet approval and submission in Parliament when necessary for the annual reports of institutions under the Ministry.
- Preparation of cooperate , strategic and operational plans for the judicial field.
- Coordination of District and Regional Development Committees regarding development projects.
- Follow-up of development projects of the Ministry and the institutions under the purview of the Ministry.
- Collection of statistics regarding court cases and preparation of statistical hand books twice a year.
- Develop the organizational results framework and report on progress.
- Referring the strategic plans of state-owned institutions to the Department of Public Enterprises and the Department of National Budget
- Preparing plans and reporting progress related to the implementation of the government's policy statement.
- Coordination activities regarding the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
- Conducting quarter based Integrated Progress Review Meetings






