National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force - Sri Lanka

𝙃𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙤𝙩, 𝙉𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙡.

The UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in collaboration with the European Union, convened the South Asia Regional Meeting on the Protection of Victims and Witnesses of Human Trafficking within the Criminal Justice Process. The meeting was held in Nagarkot, Nepal, on 21–22 May 2026.

Public officials and civil society representatives from Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, and Bangladesh participated in the event. Officials of Sri Lanka’s National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force also took part, contributing insights and expertise drawn from their experience.

𝙐𝙉𝙊𝘿𝘾, 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙋𝙊𝙇 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙀𝙐 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with INTERPOL and the European Union, successfully conducted a highly productive workshop on Specialized Border Operations, Security Document Examination, and the Identification of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (SEDEX-TIP/SOM) from 20 to 22 April 2026 at Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle.

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) of Sri Lanka was represented by members from the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Immigration and Emigration in the event.

𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙐𝙉𝙊𝘿𝘾 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙮𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙘𝙖𝙢-𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜

Colombo, 9 April 2026 - The Coordination Committee of the National Anti Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) facilitated a consultation meeting today at the Task Force Secretariat with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for South Asia, addressing the intersection of cyber scam operations and trafficking in persons.

The consultation forms part of a UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime regional initiative to strengthen understanding and responses to trafficking for forced criminality, particularly in cyber-enabled scam operations, which represent an emerging and complex global challenge.

The session was facilitated with Dr. Marika McAdam, International Consultant to UNODC, to gather insights on national responses to this form of exploitation.

Discussions examined the growing use of deceptive online recruitment methods, including fraudulent job advertisements and social media platforms, which place victims at risk of exploitation in cyber scam operations. Key topics addressed included victim identification, challenges in assisting foreign victims particularly language translation needs, the application of the non-punishment principle, emerging trafficking trends, ongoing research initiatives, international cooperation, and existing vulnerabilities.

Participants shared perspectives on Sri Lanka’s legal and institutional responses, investigative practices, and protection measures for victims of trafficking linked to cyber scam operations. The session highlighted the complexities of addressing cross-border cyber scam operations that rely heavily on digital infrastructure.

The consultation underscored the importance of strengthened international collaboration, enhanced technical capacity, and increased awareness to effectively respond to this evolving form of human trafficking.

Insights gathered during the consultation will contribute to ongoing research and inform strategic, policy, and operational recommendations under UNODC’s regional initiative. Findings are expected to be further reviewed at a validation workshop scheduled for June 2026.

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing human trafficking in all its forms, with particular attention to the growing threat posed by cyber scam-related exploitation.

𝙉𝘼𝙃𝙏𝙏𝙁 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙄𝙋𝙎 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙞 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙍𝙎𝙊 𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙖𝙡

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF), under the Ministry of Defence, recently hosted a meeting with representatives from the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) and the Bali Process Regional Support Office (RSO) to discuss a proposed research initiative on human trafficking on 20 March 2026.

The discussion centered on the IPS research proposal, facilitated by the Bali Process RSO, which aims to examine emerging trafficking trends, including aspects related to return and reintegration experiences, and to strengthen evidence-based policy responses. Particular attention was given to evolving patterns of recruitment and cross-border exploitation.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the NAHTTF to share perspectives and contribute to the broader research dialogue, ensuring alignment with national-level operational realities and ongoing response mechanisms.

Sri Lanka continues to advance its efforts to combat human trafficking through coordinated institutional action, with increasing emphasis on research-informed strategies and regional collaboration.

Regional Support Office of the Bali Process
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS)

𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮

A two-day awareness and capacity-building programme for government officials aimed at strengthening efforts to identify and assist victims of human trafficking was conducted in Kandy on 30 and 31 March 2026.

The programme was organized by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF), in collaboration with the Kandy District Secretariat, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. A total of 27 government officials representing key frontline institutions participated in the programme.

The sessions focused on enhancing the capacity of government officials to better identify victims of human trafficking and provide appropriate assistance through established referral and support mechanisms.

The programme was conducted in line with the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (NSAP) 2026–2030, which aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s institutional response to human trafficking and improve coordination among relevant stakeholders.

During the two-day programme, participants engaged in interactive discussions, case studies, and knowledge-sharing sessions to better understand trafficking indicators, victim identification, and inter-agency collaboration required to respond to human trafficking cases.

By strengthening the knowledge and awareness of government officials, the programme contributes to improving early identification of victims and facilitating timely assistance. It also highlights the continued collaboration between national authorities and international partners in addressing human trafficking.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞-𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙪𝙢 𝙀𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) convened the District Anti-Trafficking Forum (DATF) for Kandy District on 31 March 2026 at the Kandy District Secretariat, marking the establishment of the third District Anti-Trafficking Forum in Sri Lanka, following Kalutara and Trincomalee.

The forum was conducted in line with Sri Lanka’s National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (NSAP) 2026–2030, with the aim of enhancing prevention, protection, and response mechanisms at district and divisional levels. The establishment of District Anti-Trafficking Forums builds on earlier initiatives supported by the International Organization for Migration, which provided technical assistance to pilot the mechanism in several districts between 2018 and 2021.

The programme brought together district and divisional secretariat officials, law enforcement authorities, child protection and women’s development officers, and other key officials to discuss strategies for combatting human trafficking within Kandy District. Participants also explored ways to strengthen early victim identification, referral pathways, and coordinated responses among institutions at the district and community levels.

The forum was conducted with the participation of Mrs. Priyangani Hewarathne, Attorney-at-Law, Secretary to the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) and Additional Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs) (CD), Ministry of Defence, and Mr. E.R.L.B. Etampawala, Additional District Secretary, Kandy, together with members of the NAHTTF Coordinating Committee. The programme was organized in collaboration with the Kandy District Secretariat under the guidance of Mr. Indika Udawatta, District Secretary/Government Agent – Kandy, with logistical support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

District Anti-Trafficking Forums continue to play an important role in strengthening coordination between national policy frameworks and district-level implementation, supporting Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals.

𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞-𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙪𝙢 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) convened the District Anti-Trafficking Forum (DATF) for Trincomalee District 05 March 2026 at the Trincomalee District Secretariat, further strengthening district-level coordination to combat human trafficking in Sri Lanka.

The forum was conducted in line with Sri Lanka’s National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (NSAP) 2026–2030, with the aim of enhancing prevention, protection, and response mechanisms at district and divisional levels. The establishment of District Anti-Trafficking Forums builds on earlier initiatives supported by the International Organization for Migration, which provided technical assistance to pilot the mechanism in several districts between 2018 and 2021.

The programme brought together district and divisional secretariat officials, law enforcement authorities, child protection and women’s development officers, and other key stakeholders to discuss trafficking risks and vulnerabilities within Trincomalee District. Participants also explored strategies to strengthen early victim identification, referral pathways, and coordinated responses among institutions at the district and community levels.

The forum was conducted with the participation of Mrs. Priyangani Hewarathne, Attorney-at-Law, Secretary to the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) and Additional Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs) (CD), Ministry of Defence, together with members of the NAHTTF Coordinating Committee.

The programme was organized in collaboration with the Trincomalee District Secretariat under the guidance of the District Secretary, with the participation of senior district officials and representatives of relevant government agencies. The forum was conducted with logistical support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

District Anti-Trafficking Forums continue to play an important role in strengthening coordination between national policy frameworks and district-level implementation, supporting Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals.

𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙄𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚

A two-day awareness and capacity-building programme for government officials aimed at strengthening efforts to identify and assist victims of human trafficking was conducted in Trincomalee on 4 and 5 March 2026.

The programme was organized by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and the District Secretariat of Trincomalee. A total of 27 government officials representing key frontline institutions participated in the programme.

The sessions focused on enhancing the capacity of government officials to better identify victims of human trafficking and provide appropriate assistance through established referral and support mechanisms.

The District Secretary of Trincomalee, Mr. W.G.M. Hemantha Kumara, also participated in the programme, demonstrating the district administration’s commitment to strengthening local responses to combat human trafficking.

The programme was conducted in line with the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (NSAP) 2026–2030, which aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s institutional response to human trafficking and improve coordination among relevant stakeholders.

During the two-day programme, participants engaged in interactive discussions, case studies, and knowledge-sharing sessions to better understand trafficking indicators, victim identification, and inter-agency collaboration required to respond to human trafficking cases.

By strengthening the knowledge and awareness of government officials, the programme contributes to improving early identification of victims and facilitating timely assistance. It also highlights the continued collaboration between national authorities and international partners in addressing human trafficking.

𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒚𝒃𝒆𝒓-𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒎 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔

The Regional Support Office (RSO) of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, in partnership with Freedom Collaborative, successfully convened an Ideation Workshop on 23–24 February 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott Colombo.

The workshop brought together civil society organisations (CSOs) from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to strengthen prevention responses to trafficking for forced criminality into cyber-scam centres.

As online scam operations continue to expand across Southeast Asia, increasing numbers of South Asians are being deceived by fraudulent job offers and trafficked into exploitative scam compounds.

During the programme, participants examined the regional situation of cyber-scam centres in Southeast Asia, analysed common victim profiles, recruitment methods—including online job advertisements and intermediary brokers—and the growing role of emerging technologies in trafficking recruitment.

Country updates from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan provided national perspectives, while a data spotlight by Freedom Collaborative and a survivor experience session grounded discussions in lived realities. Through breakout sessions, participants mapped recruitment tactics, identified early warning touchpoints and community vulnerabilities, and explored effective prevention messaging approaches.

The group then moved into ideation sessions, developing prototype awareness materials such as draft messages, social media concepts, flyers, and video ideas. These prototypes were tested through target-audience simulations and refined based on peer feedback to ensure clarity, cultural relevance, and credibility.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for CSOs to exchange best practices, strengthen professional networks, and enhance regional connectivity. By reinforcing cross-border collaboration and aligning prevention messaging, the event contributed to more coordinated, survivor-informed, and community-based responses to trafficking for forced criminality across the region.

𝑺𝒓𝒊 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒂 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 (2026–2030)

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF), under the Ministry of Defence, officially launched the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking 2026–2030 on 28 January 2026 at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo.

The launch marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s national efforts to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, strengthen law enforcement responses, and enhance coordination across government institutions and partners.

The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, with the participation of the Hon Attorney General, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Chair of the NAHTTF, senior officials representing 23 government institutions, members of the diplomatic community, United Nations agencies and civil society organizations.

The event was also attended by Ms. Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, who reaffirmed IOM’s continued partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka in strengthening national counter-trafficking efforts.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that the implementation of National Strategic Action Plan is central to its effectiveness, as policy frameworks alone cannot prevent or respond to trafficking without concrete operationalization. Human trafficking is a structural and social challenge that requires sustained, multi-sectoral action. Ministries and government agencies must embed anti-trafficking priorities into their core strategies and day-to-day operations, ensuring institutional integration and professional accountability.

The Prime Minister underscored that Law enforcement officials are required to execute their mandates with diligence, professionalism, and survivor-centered approaches, while communities must engage actively to address systemic vulnerabilities, raise awareness, and support prevention efforts. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management are essential to identify emerging trends and respond effectively to changing patterns of exploitation.

The National Strategic Action Plan 2026–2030 recognizes the evolving nature of human trafficking, including the increasing use of digital platforms, social media, and cross-border cyber networks by traffickers. In response, the Plan strengthens data-driven monitoring, inter-agency coordination, cyber-crime cooperation, and early detection mechanisms.

At the same time, the Plan adopts a victim-centred approach, ensuring that victims are treated as survivors rather than evidence, with access to shelter, medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and reintegration services.

The five-year Action Plan is structured around four core pillars that guide Sri Lanka’s counter-trafficking response:

• Prevention – reducing vulnerabilities through awareness, safe migration, and risk-reduction measures
• Protection – strengthening victim identification, assistance, and long-term support
• Prosecution – enhancing investigations, accountability, and inter-agency coordination
• Partnership – reinforcing collaboration with civil society, the private sector, international organizations, and regional mechanisms

The Plan aligns with Sri Lanka’s international commitments, including the Palermo Protocol, Sustainable Development Goals, Global Compact for Migration, and the Alliance 8.7 Roadmap, while strengthening engagement with regional platforms such as the Bali Process, BIMSTEC, and the Colombo Process.

The Prime Minister commended the Ministry of Defence for its leadership in steering the national response through the NAHTTF and acknowledged the sustained commitment of member institutions in developing the Action Plan. Appreciation was also extended to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and partner organizations for their technical support, consultation facilitation, and continued cooperation.

The National Strategic Action Plan 2026–2030 represents more than a policy document. It is a national commitment to implementation, accountability, and coordinated action to protect vulnerable persons and prevent exploitation.

The NAHTTF will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the Plan at national and district levels, strengthening prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership mechanisms across Sri Lanka.