by Leenah Wahab

The 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, conducted by the US State Department, revealed a significant increase in the number of human trafficking cases in Sri Lanka, from 59 cases in 2023 to 95 cases in 2024.

Of the 95 victims identified, 78 were survivors of labor trafficking, nine of sex trafficking and eight of other unspecified forms. The report also noted that seven of these victims were Pakistani nationals. Sri Lanka remains at Level 2 in the TIP report, indicating that while the country is making efforts to combat human trafficking, it does not fully meet the minimum standards of the 2000 Victims of Trafficking Protection Act.

NP Jayasundara, Head of Human Trafficking at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), emphasized that human trafficking cases often involve countries in the Middle East. She said illegal employment agencies often target vulnerable individuals by offering advance payments or jobs, and later force them into exploitation.

“We handle an average of 2-3 human trafficking cases per month, which we hand over to the CID for further investigation,” said Jayasundara. She noted that even those who migrate through legitimate channels are not immune to exploitation, as foreign agents often violate employment contracts when workers arrive abroad.
Jayasundara cited a harrowing case of a 12-year-old girl who was trafficked for domestic work, highlighting the vulnerabilities children face. The TIP report raised further concerns about the increasing use of social media to recruit children for sex trafficking, with Sri Lanka’s coastal areas and tourist hubs flagged as high-risk zones for child exploitation.

In addition to these challenges, the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) recently warned of Sri Lankan IT professionals being trafficked into cybercriminal activities in Myanmar. Reports revealed that prisoners in these camps are subjected to serious human rights violations, including mental and physical torture.

SLBFE has increased its efforts to address human trafficking through monthly awareness programs aimed at educating the public, concerned public officials, prospective migrants and their family members about the dangers of human trafficking. The agency also has an online system for registering and resolving complaints of migrant workers.

“Awareness is key,” emphasized Jayasundara, “especially for at-risk youth and individuals seeking work abroad. Prevention starts with education.”