To counter human trafficking:

IOM, Police set up database

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the Sri Lanka Police Department have created a database to combat human trafficking.

The database, hosted at the Criminal Records Division, will not only house relevant statistical data but will also be used to update information on trafficking cases progressively, thus helping to track cases and identify similar trends and persons involved in these offences.

"Human trafficking is an issue of growing concern worldwide and more so as of late in Sri Lanka", said IOM Sri Lanka's Counter Trafficking Unit Program Manager Anuradhi Navaratnam.

"There is a considerable gap in data related to identify and prosecute cases of human trafficking and it is this gap we are trying to bridge through the development of the database", she said.

The database is a comprehensive and central data collection system which will capture human trafficking offences and will also assist law enforcement officers to track and prosecute these cases.

Plans are also under way to link the database with other relevant Government bodies dealing with cases of human trafficking. "By doing so we hope to bring together all partners and stakeholders to collaborate in combating human trafficking" Anuradhi said.

This Sri Lanka rupees 5.7 million project, funded by the British High Commission, is an integral component of IOM Sri Lanka's Migration Management assistance portfolio through which IOM supports national initiatives that aim at strengthening the capacity of the Government and other stakeholders to manage migration more effectively.