New task force established in Jaffna to strengthen anti-human trafficking measures

14-Aug-2026

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A discussion aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking and an event to establish a district-level task force against human trafficking and human smuggling were held at the Jaffna District Secretariat auditorium under the chairmanship of Jaffna District Secretary Maruthalingam Pratheepan.

The event was organised by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.

Attorney Priyangani Hewarathna, Secretary of the working group of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, and Anoja Munasinghe, National Project Coordinator of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), also participated in the discussion.

Addressing the gathering, the District Secretary said the activities of the national task force established to combat human trafficking and human smuggling were being implemented across the country.

He said the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence serves as the National Secretary of the task force.

Jaffna had been identified as one of the districts where anti-human trafficking measures were considered necessary, based on a decision taken at the national level, he said.

“The present discussion has been organised as an initial step towards establishing a district-level task force,” he said.

He said an awareness programme had been held the previous day for Divisional Secretaries, the Assistant District Secretary, Assistant Divisional Secretaries and administrative Grama Niladharis attached to Divisional Secretariats.

Officials who would serve as members of the district task force had subsequently been invited to the discussion, he said.

Officials from sectors including foreign employment, human resource development, skills development and women’s development, as well as officers involved in activities related to preventing human trafficking, participated in the meeting.

The District Secretary stressed the need to establish an effective task force at district level, describing the discussion as an important initial step towards achieving that objective.

He also pointed out that, according to national-level statistics, the number of people affected by human trafficking and human smuggling was a matter of concern.

He said one of the key responsibilities of the task force would be not only to prevent such illegal activities but also to provide psychological support, social protection and livelihood assistance to victims.

He stressed the need to further strengthen awareness and preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

He said local-level officials would be given an opportunity to present their views and recommendations, adding that efforts to prevent human trafficking and human smuggling could succeed only through the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by the Additional District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries, the Assistant District Secretary, Assistant Divisional Secretaries, administrative Grama Niladharis attached to Divisional Secretariats and development officers representing sectors including foreign employment, human resource development, skills development, women’s development, child rights promotion and preschool child development.