Sri Lanka, Nov. 18 -- The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an amendment to Order No. 3 of the Shop and Office Employees Act No. 19 of 1954 (Service and Wages Regularization Act) at their meeting held on 3 July 2025.

The proposed amendment is expected to introduce legal provisions allowing female employees above 18 years, who are engaged as waitresses at residential hotels and restaurants, to provide services after 6.00 p.m. and before 6.00 a.m.

Following Cabinet approval of the resolution submitted by the Minister of Labour, the amended order, prepared under Section 66 of the Act, will be submitted to Parliament for approval. Once approved, the amendment will be published in the Government Gazette.

This amendment aims to formally regu...