Government officials in Kurunegala Strengthened the National Response to Human Trafficking Through a Two – Day Capacity – Building Programme

A Two-Day Awareness and Capacity-Building Programme for Government Officials to Strengthen Victim Identification and Assistance Concluded in Kurunegala

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 on 30 June 2026 - 01 July 2026 at the Epitome Hotel, Kurunegala.

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

The inaugural session was attended by Mr. D. M. K. C. Dissanayake, District Secretary/Government Agent of Kurunegala, and Mrs. Priyangani Hewarathne, Attorney-at-Law, Secretary to the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) and Additional Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs), C.D., Ministry of Defence. Addressing the participants, they emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacity of government officials to identify and protect victims of human trafficking through enhanced coordination, effective referral mechanisms, and a victim-centred approach.

The training sessions were designed to enhance the capacity of government officials to effectively identify victims of human trafficking and provide appropriate assistance through established referral and victim support mechanisms.

The programme was conducted in line with the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (NSAP) 2026-2030, which seeks to strengthen Sri Lanka's institutional response to human trafficking while improving coordination among relevant government agencies and stakeholders.

Throughout the two-day programme, participants engaged in interactive discussions, practical case studies, and knowledge-sharing sessions that deepened their understanding of trafficking indicators, victim identification procedures, referral pathways, and the importance of inter-agency collaboration in responding to human trafficking cases.

By strengthening the knowledge and awareness of frontline government officials, the programme enhanced their capacity to identify victims at an early stage, facilitate timely protection and assistance, and reinforce the coordinated national response to combat human trafficking. The initiative also reflected the continued partnership between national authorities and international organizations in addressing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals across Sri Lanka.