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The Myth of “Full-Timers” in Trade Unions

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  In Sri Lanka’s Labour movement, the term “full-timer” has become a source of confusion and manipulation. Some trade unions attempt to convince members that only elected branch leaders qualify as “full-time” representatives, while ordinary workers are relegated to “part-time” status. This claim, however, has no foundation in law. It is a manufactured narrative that undermines worker solidarity and misrepresents the protections guaranteed under Sri Lankan legislation. The Trade Unions Ordinance is clear in its scope: it governs the registration, regulation, and functioning of unions. It defines officers, executives, and members, but nowhere does it create categories of “full-time” or “part-time” unionists. Its purpose is to ensure unions are legally recognized and their officers can represent workers collectively—not to determine employment status. Meanwhile, the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act directly regulates employment relationsh...
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Ordinances, ACT, and Statutes in Sri Lanka - what are these - A Brief

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In Sri Lanka, “Acts,” “Ordinances,” and “Statutes” are distinct legislative terms tied to different historical periods and authorities. Acts are laws passed by Parliament, Ordinances are colonial-era laws enacted before independence, and Statutes are laws made by universities or provincial councils under delegated authority. Key Terminology Differences Term Authority Scope Historical Introduction Current Usage Ordinance Governor (colonial executive) with legislative council approval Applied across Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during British rule Introduced during the British colonial period (19th century) , many ordinances date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s Still in force if not repealed (e.g., Companies Ordinance , Evidence Ordinance ) Act Parliament of Sri Lanka (post-independence legislature) National laws covering broad areas (labour,...
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Gratuity in Sri Lanka: Who Qualifies, Who Doesn’t, and Why the 15-Employee Threshold Matters?

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  Gratuity is one of the most important retirement benefits for Sri Lankan workers, designed to recognize long-term service and provide financial security at the end of employment. Yet, many employers and employees remain unclear about when gratuity is payable, who qualifies, and why the law sets a threshold of 15 employees. This article unpacks the Payment of Gratuity Act, No. 12 of 1983 , explains the rules, and illustrates them with real-world examples. Employer Coverage: The 15-Employee Rule The Act applies to any employer who has employed 15 or more workers at any time during a calendar year . If a company crosses this threshold even once in a year, it becomes liable under the Act. Importantly, once covered, the obligation continues even if the workforce later drops below 15. This rule ensures that medium and large employers cannot escape responsibility by downsizing after crossing the threshold. Employee Eligibility To qualify for gratuity, an emp...
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