Building a Stronger National Response: Parliament Briefed on Human Trafficking

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) successfully conducted a Policy Briefing and Awareness Programme on Human Trafficking for Honorable Members of Parliament today at the Parliament Complex.

The programme was organized in line with the objectives of the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2026-2030) and sought to strengthen parliamentary awareness of emerging trends, legal developments and policy considerations relating to trafficking in persons, while supporting informed legislative engagement on an issue that continues to pose significant challenges both nationally and internationally.

Delivering the remarks, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), highlighted the evolving nature of human trafficking and its growing links to organized transnational crime networks.

Addressing the gathering of Hon. Members of Parliament, he observed that trafficking in persons has evolved beyond its traditional manifestations and now increasingly involves sophisticated methods of recruitment and exploitation facilitated through digital technologies and cross-border criminal networks.

He noted that deceptive foreign employment opportunities, fraudulent recruitment practices, cyber-enabled recruitment, forced labour, sexual exploitation and, in certain instances, forced criminality have emerged as significant concerns requiring coordinated national responses.

The Chairman emphasized that human trafficking should not be viewed solely as a criminal justice issue but as a complex challenge with direct implications for national security, social stability and economic resilience. He further stressed the importance of adopting a coordinated "whole-of-government" response involving all relevant state institutions, complemented by a "whole-of-society" approach that engages civil society organizations, media institutions, communities and international partners.

Underscoring the critical role of Parliament in addressing trafficking in persons, he stated that the Legislature, as the supreme law-making authority of the country, has a pivotal role in strengthening legal frameworks, exercising oversight and shaping national policy responses to emerging threats.

During the programme, Particular attention was given to the Task Force's role in coordinating the efforts of its 23 member institutions engaged in prevention, Protection, prosecution, and international cooperation.

Participants were also provided with an overview of the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2026-2030), which is structured around four strategic pillars: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership. The Action Plan seeks to strengthen national capacities to prevent trafficking, identify and protect victims, enhance criminal justice responses and foster stronger collaboration among government institutions and stakeholders.

The briefing highlighted the importance of continued institutional coordination in responding to evolving trafficking trends and ensuring that Sri Lanka's legal and policy frameworks remain responsive to emerging challenges. Special emphasis was placed on emerging forms of trafficking, including technology-facilitated recruitment, deceptive migration practices, labour exploitation and forced criminality.

Hon. Members of Parliament were also informed of Sri Lanka's continued progress in combating human trafficking. In this regard, Sri Lanka has maintained its Tier 2 status in the United States Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for four consecutive years, reflecting the sustained efforts of relevant state institutions in the areas of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

The technical sessions of the programme were conducted by distinguished resource persons from the Attorney General's Department. Mrs. Haripriya Jayasundara, PC, Additional Solicitor General, and Mr. Sajith Bandara, SC, delivered comprehensive presentations on the legal framework governing trafficking in persons, prosecutorial perspectives, evidentiary considerations.

A specially produced awareness video on human trafficking and the work of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force was also screened during the programme, providing participants with an overview of the nature, impact and evolving dimensions of trafficking in persons.

The programme concluded with an interactive discussion session, providing Honourable Members of Parliament with an opportunity to exchange views and enhance their understanding of the legislative, policy and institutional measures required to strengthen Sri Lanka's response to human trafficking.

The successful conduct of the programme marked an important step in strengthening parliamentary awareness and engagement on trafficking in persons and reaffirmed the shared commitment of all stakeholders towards a coordinated, victim-centred and comprehensive national response to combat human trafficking in Sri Lanka.