(Sri Lanka Brief/12 November 2025)
The Women’s Centre Sri Lanka has raised serious concerns over an incident involving two female employees of Lanka Garments (Pvt) Ltd, who were allegedly coerced into resigning after expressing their intention to attend a women’s rights awareness programme.
According to the organisation, the workers – G.M. Nilanka Sandamali and T. Samanthi – were summoned by the company’s Human Resources division on 11 October while on duty and questioned about rumours that they were planning to form a trade union. The employees reportedly clarified that they were not involved in union formation but intended to participate in a workshop organised by the Women’s Centre on 12 October at Dalugalla Shanthi Hotel, focusing on gender equality, human rights, and grievance mechanisms.
Despite their explanation, the workers were allegedly detained for nearly two hours, verbally abused with obscene language, and threatened with false accusations involving drugs and police action. They were then forced to sign resignation letters under duress. The Women’s Centre claims that other employees who were invited to the same programme were also interrogated and pressured to provide written statements.
The organisation condemned the factory’s actions, stating that participation in an educational programme cannot be construed as union activity. It further emphasised that the right to join any trade union is guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and that terminating employment on such grounds constitutes a violation of fundamental rights.
The Women’s Centre also highlighted that such practices breach ethical codes adhered to by international buyers, which require respect for workers’ rights in production facilities. The organisation has urged the company to reinstate the two employees immediately and warned that failure to do so would amount to a serious legal and ethical violation.
Copies of the complaint have been forwarded to the Minister of Labour, Deputy Minister, Labour Commissioner, Human Rights Commission, and relevant women’s and trade union organisations.
Sinhala press release:Letter Lanka Garment -Sinhala