Sri Lanka Holds Tier 2 Ranking in US Trafficking Report for 5th Year 📈

• Overall Status: Sri Lanka retained its Tier 2 status in the US Department of State's 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the fifth consecutive year. Tier 2 applies to countries making significant efforts despite not fully meeting minimum US elimination standards. • National Policy Action: Key progress was driven by launching the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking 2026-2030, establishing a five-year framework under the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) chaired by the Defence Secretary. • Local & Sectoral Frameworks: • District Anti-Trafficking Forums: Expanded across districts to link local authorities and law enforcement for early victim identification and referral. • Capacity & Partner Initiatives: Expanded training for frontline officers alongside inter-agency and international cooperation. • Emerging Threats: Targeted focus on technology-facilitated recruitment, online exploitation, and forced involvement in cyber-criminality. • Economic Context: Maintaining Tier 2 status supports compliance in key export-oriented foreign exchange sectors—such as foreign employment & migrant labor, apparel & textiles, and hospitality & tourism—safeguarding trade access and foreign remittance flows.