Sri Lanka Retains Tier 2 Status in US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report

14-Oct-2026

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Sri Lanka has expressed satisfaction at retaining Tier 2 status for the fifth consecutive year in the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report. The Ministry of Defence stated that the recognition reflected the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen national measures to combat human trafficking.

In a statement, the Ministry said the recognition reflected the Government’s constructive initiatives, including strengthening coordination, protecting victims, improving law enforcement, enhancing preventive measures and promoting inter-agency cooperation to combat human trafficking.

The Ministry also stated that the National Task Force against Human Trafficking, headed by Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, continued to undertake measures relating to prevention, protection, investigation, prosecution, migration monitoring, child protection, assistance to victims and national-level coordination among the relevant government institutions.

“During the reporting period covered by the US Department of State, Sri Lanka took several important measures to strengthen its framework for combating human trafficking. A major milestone was the preparation of the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking 2026–2030, which provides a framework for coordinated action over the next five years,” the statement said.