Trafficking in Persons and Counter Trafficking in Persons Assessment in Sri Lanka

The assessment aimed to inform USAID/Sri Lanka's engagement in Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) efforts, in line with its 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy. The assessment was based on a desk review and qualitative interviews with key respondents from the US and Sri Lankan governments, civil society, international and bilateral organizations, the private sector, and communities vulnerable to TIP. Sri Lanka is predominantly a source country for TIP, but it can also be a transit and destination point, with victims being women, men, and children. A dearth of systematic and coordinated data makes it challenging to assess the prevalence and identify TIP cases, particularly cases of child trafficking, internal TIP, and trafficking of foreigners to Sri Lanka. Government efforts are coordinated through a national task force that is largely seen as ineffective and inefficient. The foreign migration system is the most effective mechanism currently for uncovering trafficking crimes and assisting its victims. At the district level, many stakeholders have a limited understanding of TIP, investigative and prosecutorial units are lacking, and protection services are limited. CTIP efforts from the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and communities are disconnected and ad-hoc, which has undermined their effectiveness. International donor investments for CTIP are limited and appear to be on the decline, though the private sector is ready and willing to partner. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected CTIP efforts as well as the TIP landscape. A multidisciplinary and collaborative approach is essential to effectively address TIP. The assessment highlights the need for a coordinated and systematic approach to address TIP, including the development of a national action plan, strengthening of investigative and prosecutorial units, and improvement of protection services. The assessment also emphasizes the importance of partnership opportunities, including collaboration with the private sector, and the need to address the impact of the pandemic on CTIP efforts. The assessment provides several recommendations to enhance USAID/Sri Lanka's CTIP efforts in the country. These recommendations include strengthening the national task force, improving data collection and analysis, enhancing investigative and prosecutorial capacities, and improving protection services for survivors. The assessment also recommends increasing international donor investments for CTIP and promoting partnership opportunities with the private sector.