IOM and Japan Strengthen the Bureau for the Prevention and Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women to Combat Trafficking and Abuse

Colombo, 20 March – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) with generous funding assistance from the Government of Japan, has successfully renovated the Bureau for the Prevention and Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women (PCWB). This endeavour was undertaken as part of the project, ‘Supporting migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations to uplift their livelihoods, enhance their skills, and promote safe and regular migration’ (“UPLIFT”), funded by the Government of Japan. The support extended included the renovation of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, and the 109 Public Complaint Desk. Additional assistance included upgrading temporary accommodation facilities for women survivors of violence with a dedicated space for children, conduct trainings on “Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking” for 109 hotline operators, and equipping 19 PCWB Divisional Offices in the Nuwara Eliya District with furniture and IT equipment. The total expenditure for these efforts amounted to USD 166,000.

The principal aim of these interventions is to strengthen the capacity of the PCWB to handle critical cases of trafficking, abuse, and other crimes affecting children and women and is part of IOM’s broader objective to support the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) in its mission to counter trafficking-in-persons in Sri Lanka.

The successful implementation of these upgrades is the outcome of a thorough assessment conducted by IOM to ensure that the renovations would meet the unique operational needs of the PCWB. Deputy Inspector General of Police Renuka Jayasundera expressed immense satisfaction with the renovation process, which was carried out within an accelerated timeframe, while expressing her thoughts at the launch event of the upgraded facilities on 20 March 2025 which was graced by the Deputy Minister for Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Sunil Watagala and Acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya.

"This facility is a beacon of hope for countless women and children in desperate need of assistance. The renovations not only enhance the safety of our survivors but also improve our ability to support them with dignity and respect. We are grateful to IOM and the Government of Japan for their unwavering support in making this possible," said DIG Renuka.

IOM’s support to the PCWB extended beyond donating physical infrastructure and included training and capacity building, to equip staff with the necessary skills to handle cases with sensitivity and expertise. IOM supported capacitating selected officers of the newly established 109 hotline dedicated to receiving reports of abuse of women and children, to effectively identify trafficking cases, and utilize victim-centric and trauma-informed approaches when handling cases.

Mr. KAMOSHIDA Naoaki, Minister/ Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka stated, " By renovating this Bureau and strengthening capacity of officers who work directly with victims, we believe we are making meaningful strides in preventing abuse of women and children. We sincerely hope the equipment provided under this project will be effectively used for years to come.

Mr. Kamoshida also added, “Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the protection and empowerment of vulnerable populations in Sri Lanka. Let us continue to work together for a future where women and children are free from violence and exploitation."

Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission of IOM Sri Lanka and the Maldives, commenting on the milestone, noted that, “IOM, in recognition of the importance of capacitating state institutions towards the fight against trafficking-in-persons, has provided multifaceted support to the Government of Sri Lanka over the years. Our support has been tailored in alignment with the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2021-2025).”

“We are confident that with the upgraded facilities and capacitated officers, the PCWB will continue to make significant strides in combating trafficking, violence, and other crimes that disproportionately affect women and children,” she added.

These efforts, aimed at bolstering the PCWB’s holistic operational capacity aligns with IOM’s strategic objective of ‘saving lives and protecting people on the move’, enhancing resilience among the most vulnerable.