Colombo: Human trafficking has been identified as the fastest growing organized crime globally, presenting challenges not only for Sri Lanka but also for the entire international community. In these cases, individuals of all ages and genders are exploited for personal gain. They face various forms of exploitation, including prostitution, slavery, organ harvesting, forced labor, and involvement in cybercrime.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, to tackle these international challenges, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF), in collaboration with the Government of Japan, have initiated a comprehensive media awareness campaign. This campaign aims to raise public awareness in Sri Lanka to prevent citizens from becoming victims of such crimes.

The campaign will include a series of educational short videos and audio clips to be disseminated through television, radio, social media, and other electronic media. These materials are designed to illustrate the nature of human trafficking and the unfortunate experiences faced by victims.

Defence Secretary and Head of NAHTTF, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, emphasized the importance of prevention in eliminating this crime. The campaign’s objectives are to ensure the safety and security of both citizens and foreigners by raising public awareness.

Another goal of the program is to empower victims of human trafficking and individuals with information about such crimes to speak out fearlessly against these activities.