In a major push to close Sri Lanka’s childcare gap and support greater economic participation for women, the World Bank Group hosted a high-level forum focused on the role of childcare in shaping a stronger, more inclusive workforce.
The event, titled “Childcare as an Enabler of Women’s Increased Economic Participation in Sri Lanka,” brought together leaders from the government, private sector, and civil society to examine how expanding childcare access can drive both social and economic gains. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of empowering women to balance caregiving and employment. The Prime Minister iterated that caregiving support is essential for economic growth alongside being the right thing to do.
Opening the event, World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka Gevorg Sargsyan highlighted the far-reaching impact of childcare on the country’s development trajectory. “Childcare is one of the smartest investments we can make in Sri Lanka’s future. It delivers a triple dividend—creating opportunities for women to join and thrive in the workforce, supporting early childhood development, and driving job creation and economic growth,” he said. “By championing childcare, we can leverage childcare as a key driver of progress—for families, businesses, and the nation.”
To strengthen this national agenda, the World Bank Group announced a strategic partnership with Sri Lanka’s Women and Child Affairs Ministry. The collaboration will focus on providing technical assistance for crafting a comprehensive strategic action plan aligned with the National Policy on Child Day Care Centres. This initiative is supported through the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services (FIAS) program.
Additionally, the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), will convene a multi-stakeholder childcare consortium to continue shaping inclusive, effective childcare solutions across sectors.
A panel discussion moderated by Sargsyan focused on the role of public-private collaboration in strengthening childcare systems. Key voices included John Keells Holdings PLC Chairman Krishan Balendra, University of Peradeniya Professor of Economics Dileni Gunewardena, Ceylon Biscuits Group Managing Director Shea Wickramasingha, and ILO Country Director Joni Simpson.
Participants agreed that quality, accessible childcare is not simply a social service, but a foundational piece of the economic puzzle, essential to unlocking productivity and empowering the country’s female workforce.
