The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva

The Governing Body of the International Labour Office (ILO) elected H.E. Mr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, as Chairman for its 2007-08 Session. The 299th Session of the Governing Body also considered a range of other business, including a report of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association.

Mr. Jayatilleka replaces Mr. Mdladlana, Minister of Labour of the Republic of South Africa, who served as Governing Body Chairman during the 2006-07 Session. Daniel Funes de Rioja, President of the Social Policy Department of the Argentine Industrial Union and Chairman of the Employers' Group of the Organization of American States from 1995 to 1998, was reelected as Employer Vice-chairperson.

Sir Leroy Trotman, General Secretary, Barbados Workers' Union and spokesperson of the Workers' Group in the Governing Body, was re-elected Workers' Vicechairperson. The three will serve as Officers of the Governing Body during its 2007-08 Session. The Governing Body is the executive council of the ILO and meets three times annually in Geneva.