THIRD DISTRICT ANTI-TRAFFICKING FORUM ESTABLISHED IN KANDY

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) convened the District Anti-Trafficking Forum (DATF) for Kandy District on 31 March 2026 at the Kandy District Secretariat, marking the establishment of the third District Anti-Trafficking Forum in Sri Lanka, following Kalutara and Trincomalee.

The forum was conducted in line with Sri Lanka’s National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (NSAP) 2026–2030, with the aim of enhancing prevention, protection, and response mechanisms at district and divisional levels. The establishment of District Anti-Trafficking Forums builds on earlier initiatives supported by the International Organization for Migration, which provided technical assistance to pilot the mechanism in several districts between 2018 and 2021.

The programme brought together district and divisional secretariat officials, law enforcement authorities, child protection and women’s development officers, and other key officials to discuss strategies for combatting human trafficking within Kandy District. Participants also explored ways to strengthen early victim identification, referral pathways, and coordinated responses among institutions at the district and community levels.

The forum was conducted with the participation of Mrs. Priyangani Hewarathne, Attorney-at-Law, Secretary to the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) and Additional Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs) (CD), Ministry of Defence, and Mr. E.R.L.B. Etampawala, Additional District Secretary, Kandy, together with members of the NAHTTF Coordinating Committee. The programme was organized in collaboration with the Kandy District Secretariat under the guidance of Mr. Indika Udawatta, District Secretary/Government Agent – Kandy, with logistical support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

District Anti-Trafficking Forums continue to play an important role in strengthening coordination between national policy frameworks and district-level implementation, supporting Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals.