CCS in ‘Stop Human Trafficking’ initiative

Community Concern Society (CCS), a local NGO, recently launched a landmark initiative to stop human trafficking at a round table discussion held in Colombo early this month.

The discussion was attended by Neela Gunasekera Chairperson National Committee for Women, Robert Blake US Ambassador and Gary Lewis, Representative for South Asia, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The discussion was segmented under the themes Pevention, Prosecution and Protection and was chaired by Sriyani Tidball, Founder and CEO of CCS.

Lewis, UNODC representative, said the involvement of the government is an integral part of such an initiative as it is proper governance that can ensure that fewer citizens are exposed to horrendous levels of poverty and are therefore not forced to bend to financial pressures and make decisions to sell or exploit their women and children.

Blake, discussing attempts by the US government to assist Sri Lanka, noted that 50 trainers will be equipped to combat such crimes and steps have been implemented to strengthen contracts and awareness programs for women working overseas.

The round table discussion is the first of many such initiatives CCS intends to organize surrounding the issue of Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka.

Founded in 1981, Community Concern Society has grown to help over 1400 children and 600 adults everyday. Its initiatives include the Dehiwela Outreach Centre which includes a medical clinic and a feeding programme, Lotus Buds Childrens Home, Power House a drug rehabilitation facility, Save Lanka Kids which includes youth empowerment and many other projects.