Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 18 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release:
The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF), with the technical and logistical support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), conducted a two-day capacity-building programme for senior government officials in Nuwara Eliya District on 13 and 14 October 2026, culminating in the establishment of the Nuwara Eliya District Anti-Human Trafficking Forum (DATF).
The programme aimed to strengthen officials' knowledge and understanding of human trafficking, emerging trends, the identification of vulnerabilities, prevention measures, victim identification and referral mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination. Particular attention was given to trafficking for forced criminality, including trafficking linked to cyber scam centres, evolving regional trends and shifting patterns of exploitation. The programme also emphasised raising awareness of trafficking indicators and strengthening the capacity of officials to identify and refer potential victims of trafficking who may have been compelled to engage in cybercrime and other criminal activities.
Furthermore, the programme addressed child labour exploitation and forced labour exploitation, including their links to child trafficking and labour trafficking, with contributions from resource personnel from the Department of Labour. These sessions aimed to enhance officials' understanding of exploitation-related vulnerabilities, identification indicators and appropriate referral mechanisms.
The establishment of the Nuwara Eliya DATF marks the seventh District Anti-Human Trafficking Forum established under Activity 64 of Sri Lanka's National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2026-2030). The initiative reflects a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government authorities, in accordance with the objectives of the National Strategic Action Plan.
The establishment of the Nuwara Eliya DATF represents a further step towards strengthening a coordinated, victim-centred and community-based response to human trafficking in Sri Lanka. The NAHTTF, with the continued support of UNODC and other national and international partners, will continue its efforts to establish DATFs in the remaining districts under Activity 64 of the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2026-2030), thereby strengthening district-level coordination, prevention, victim identification, protection and referral mechanisms throughout the country.
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