Colombo, Sri Lanka/27 February 2026: Under the EU-funded project Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and the Smuggling of Migrants in South Asia, UNODC- in partnership with Sri Lanka Police-delivered a series of targeted capacity-building workshops and investigative mentoring sessions for frontline law enforcement officials.
The Challenge: Persistent Capacity Gaps Across the Response Continuum
Effective responses to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and the Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) demand a continuous, coordinated effort - from the early identification and safeguarding of victims through to complex, intelligence-led investigations. In Sri Lanka, capacity gaps persist at both ends of this continuum.
Frontline officers often lack the practical skills and operational guidance needed to identify victims, respond in a victim-centered manner, and secure preliminary evidence. At the same time, specialized investigators face distinct challenges in applying advanced techniques such as digital evidence exploitation, covert operations, and structured operational planning. Addressing these interrelated gaps requires a layered training approach - one that equips both non-specialized responders and seasoned investigators with the right tools for their respective roles.
Two Workshops, Two Levels of Response
In response, the project delivered two intensive three-day workshops, each designed to target a specific tier of the law enforcement response.
The first, Frontline Response to Trafficking in Persons (FRONT), was designed for non-specialized frontline responders. It built practical skills in victim identification, trauma-informed and victim-centred assistance, and the preservation of preliminary evidence. The second, Specialized Investigative Techniques Against TIP and SOM (SITEC TIP/SOM), was a hands-on, scenario-based programme for specialized investigators. It focused on digital evidence exploitation, including mobile and cloud data, as well as covert operations and structured operational planning.
Each workshop brought together 20 participants drawn from key criminal justice agencies directly engaged in TIP and SOM cases. Both courses were grounded in real-life operational scenarios, enabling officers to practice and strengthen their skills in a realistic setting. Techniques covered included victim identification protocols, controlled payments, test purchases, and the exploitation of digital evidence.
Post-workshop surveys showed that 100 per cent of participants in both workshops reported improved knowledge and enhanced capability, underscoring the practical, scenario-based design of the training.
Targeted Investigative Mentoring for Active Cases
Beyond formal training, UNODC responded to a direct request from Sri Lanka Police by providing targeted investigative guidance on ongoing cases handled by the TIP Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Women and Children's Desk.
These mentoring sessions addressed three interconnected areas. First, participants received practical guidance on strengthening international cooperation through the strategic use of international police cooperation tools. Second, investigators were guided through digital evidence collection procedures, including the use of platform-specific data request mechanisms with cloud-based platforms supported by appropriate judicial documentation such as court orders and case summaries. Third, support was provided for the analysis of telecommunications records as investigative tools.
Participants across both the training workshops and the mentoring sessions offered a consistent and clear assessment: the skills and knowledge provided by UNODC are essential to conducting effective TIP and SOM investigations. Officers highlighted in particular the value of strengthened capabilities in victim identification and referral to appropriate services.
At the same time, officials identified important structural gaps that extend beyond training and require institutional attention. Participants underscored the significant underrepresentation of women in leadership and decision-making roles within law enforcement and immigration authorities, and called for the consideration of structural measures, including a quota system, to address this imbalance. A related concern was the persistent gap in the quality of support available to victims, particularly female victims. Participants stressed that meeting the specific needs of women and girls affected by trafficking must be prioritized in both policy and practice.
The project is funded by the European Union.
For more information about “Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and the Smuggling of Migrants in South Asia” , please contact:
Martin Reeve (Mr.), Project Coordinator
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