Established on 11th September 2007, the National Institute of Labour Studies (NILS) was created as a professional body under the Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations, Sri Lanka. The institute aims to provide education, training, consultancy, and advisory services to tripartite constituents, facilitating workplace harmony. The Institute was legally incorporated by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka through the National Institute of Labour Studies Act, no. 12 of 2010, certified on the 6th of October 2010. The Institute is administered by a Board of Governors appointed by the Hon. Minister in charge of the subject of Labour in Sri Lanka, as per the powers vested in him by the aforementioned Act. The Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, known as the Director General, is appointed according to the provisions of the Act. The Director General is responsible for executing duties delegated by the Board of Governors. The National Institute of Labour Studies addresses three major subject areas to achieve its objectives.

1. Labour Law & Industrial Relations
2. Human Resource Management
3. Workplace Productivity

These subject areas are assigned to three different divisions, offering a range of services and courses, including training workshops, short-term courses, certificate, and diploma programs. The NILS has partnered with international organizations, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute of India, to elevate its activities to the international level. In pursuit of its objective to provide consultancy and advisory services, the Institute has served numerous state and corporate sector organizations. The NILS has conducted research and studies leading to the completion of corporate plans, strategic plans, action plans, feasibility studies, financial evaluations, and procedure manuals for various production and service sector organizations.