The recent repeal of legislation in July 2025 that barred
women from working night shifts in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry was
heralded by some as a significant step towards gender parity and economic
liberalization. However, from the perspective of a development economist with
experience in policy-level government positions and international
organizations, this singular action risks being a tokenistic gesture unless it is
accompanied by a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy to dismantle the
deep-seated legal, structural, and gendered restrictions that continue to
suppress female labour force participation (FLFP) in the nation. The challenge
in Sri Lanka is not merely about night work; it is a complex interplay of
demand-side legal constraints and pervasive supply-side social barriers that
collectively limit women's agency and their contribution to the formal economy.
