National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Integrates Human Trafficking Module Into Major Forced Labour Training Initiative
July 30, 2025In line with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, launched a three - day training programme for law enforcement officials focused on forced labour today (Jul 30) at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo.
Among the distinguished participants were Mr. S.M. Piyatissa, Secretary to the Ministry of Labour; Ms. Nadeeka Wataliyadda, Commissioner General of Labour; Mr. Anoop Sathpathy, Officer in Charge, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives; Mr. Nizam Insaf, Specialist, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team, New Delhi. Also in attendance were officials from the Ministry of Labour; representatives of the International Labour Organization; officers from the Department of Labour, Department of Police, and Bureau of Foreign Employment; the Head of the officials committee of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force; and the secretary and members of the coordinating committee of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
As an integral part of this programme, the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) introduced a dedicated training module on human trafficking, developed with the guidance of the Attorney General’s Department. The module is designed to train government officers with a special focus on enhancing frontline prevention and detection.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Defence Secretary and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, calling Labour Inspectors the “eyes and ears on the ground” in the fight against trafficking linked to forced labour. He noted that trafficking often hides behind exploitative recruitment practices, wage withholding, and coercive contracts, and that the nature of Labour Inspectors’ day-to-day responsibilities places them in a strong position to detect such hidden abuses and trafficking cases.
He said that, “This is not a formality it is a strategic intervention. Your inspections can be the key to protecting someone’s freedom.”
The initiative underscores the deep connection between labour violations and human trafficking, reinforcing the need for vigilance, coordination, and inter-agency collaboration. It also aligns with the broader objectives of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, which brings together ministries, law enforcement agencies, and international partners to strengthen identification, referrals, and victim protection mechanisms.
In closing, the Secretary reminded the participants of the human cost of trafficking and urged all stakeholders to act with commitment and compassion: “Behind every case is a human being - someone’s son, daughter, parent, or friend. Let us be the ones who make that difference,” he said.
