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Introduction

Between 1930 and 1940, social welfare programs in Sri Lanka were administered through various government offices rather than a unified state ministry. A significant turning point occurred in 1943 when the Jennings Constitutional Report recommended the regularization of these services, leading to the official establishment of the Department of Social Services on February 1, 1948. Earlier, in 1947, the first Ministry of Labour and Social Services was created within the inaugural cabinet of D.S. Senanayake, with Mr. T.B. Jayah serving as the first minister. While the portfolio was initially shared, a ministry dedicated exclusively to the subject of social services was established during the presidency of J.R. Jayewardene. Since then, the ministry has evolved through various structural changes, functioning either independently or in combination with other sectors under titles such as Social Services, Social Welfare, Social Security, and Social Empowerment.

According to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2019 by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS), 82.8 percent of the Sri Lankan population lives in rural areas and estates. Moreover, one out of every six people of the population faces multi-dimensional poverty of whom 95.3 percent are from rural areas and estates. Poverty Head count Index is 10 percent higher in rural areas and 27 percent higher in estates when compared to urban areas, while educational attainment, access to infrastructure and services, female and senior citizens’ participation in the labour force and social activities remain low when compared to urban areas. Moreover, emerging economic and social issues have a significant negative impact on the economic development and social fabric of these areas.

A comprehensive social protection programme that supports marginalized and disadvantaged individuals from birth to death is a fundamental pillar of a democratic nation. The implementation of a well-structured social protection system can enhance a country's human capital and productivity, reduce inequality, and break the cycle of poverty. According to the International Labour Organization, social protection refers to a system of policies and programmes designed to safeguard individuals and families from poverty and vulnerability throughout their lives.

Therefore, in accordance with the government policy of "A Thriving Nation - A Beautiful Life" to overcome the above challenges that have a significant impact on the development of the country, There is a need of a comprehensive programme to eradicate multi-diamentional poverty through a development process that leaving no one or no place behind and ensure the social welfare of marginalized and disadvantaged community.

Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment has been established, to cover the aspects of promoting sustainable development in rural areas of Sri Lanka, improving social protection systems and community empowerment to build independent communities, by the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2412/8 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

The current duties and responsibilities of this Ministry are as follows:

Rural Development Division
Social Security Division
Community Empowerment Division