Cablegate: Sri Lanka: Proposal for Anti-Trafficking In

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000196

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS, G/TIP, PRM, AND INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KCRM KWMN EAID SMIG ELAB KPAO CE
SUBJECT: Sri Lanka: Proposal for anti-trafficking in
persons (TIP) project for FY 2003

Ref: STATE 241260

1. (U) Per Reftel, Mission is providing the attached
program proposal to strengthen the capabilities of the
Sri Lankan National Child Protection Agency (NCPA) in
enforcing the government's laws regulating trafficking
of children in regards to prostitution and labor.

2. (U) Attached is the project description based on the
outline provided in para. 14 of Reftel.

BEGIN TEXT
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A. Title: Program to enhance Civil and Police
Coordination and Investigation Techniques in Preventing
the Trafficking of Children

B. Name of Organization: National Child Protection
Agency (NCPA), The Police Unit attached to the NCPA, and
the Police Division on Women's and Children's Issues.

C. Duration: One year.

D. Objective: The program will enhance the coordination
capabilities between the civilian investigators and
policy advisors with the police officers investigating
the crimes. Particular focus should be on the
coordination between the civilian and police offices
within the NCPA. A brief inprocessing/training program
should be established to bring new personnel into an
organization where the operations of the police and
civilian personnel must be intricately connected to
operate well. In addition, a review should be conducted
to see which resources would most help the NCPA in its
mandate (reviewing items ranging from investigative
hardware to software for internal computer systems).

E-1. Justification: Sri Lanka has a small but
persistent problem of trafficking in children for
purposes of labor and sexual exploitation. Since June
1999, the NCPA has been charged with bringing to the
police's attention instances of trafficking and other
abuses relating to children and to act in an advisory
position to the apprise the GSL of additional
legislation that is required. The NCPA is in the
forefront of the GSL's efforts to prevent trafficking of
children in Sri Lanka. In October 2002, the NCPA was
strengthen by the addition of a 14 person police unit
specifically tasked to assist the NCPA in its
investigations of those involved in trafficking and
other abuses against children. With the ongoing peace
process, police are transferring from front-line
positions in Sri Lanka's fight against the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam to more traditional police roles.
This is not an easy transition. This program will help
form the foundation for the relationship between the
civil and police authorities involved in combating
trafficking in children. The USG will thus be
instrumental in insuring the development of a
professional and responsive anti-trafficking in persons
unit.

E-2. This program further develops the assistance that
the USG has already provided to the NCPA and lays the
foundation for future cooperation. The USG has supplied
the NCPA with equipment in the past and has seen the
equipment used effectively in arresting those abusing
children.

F. Performance Measures: The NCPA has been involved in
investigations leading to the arrest for trafficking in
children, particularly in regards to sexual
exploitation, but the arrests are few and far between.
Performance Measures will include increased arrests and
successful prosecutions, and more hopefully a measurable
decline in the amount of children trafficked. Mission
will review these issues through regular contact with
the NCPA, the police, and (I)NGOs focusing on the issue.

G. Budget breakout:
Assessment phase: USD 20,000
Equipment purchase: USD 30-50,000 (based on assessment)
Establishing inprocessing/training program: USD 100,000

H. Host government contribution: The NCPA and the
attached police unit is funded by the GSL.

I. Other donor contribution: Other donors have
contributed and continue to contribute to the work of
the NCPA. The USG has provided equipment in the past.
This program will be outside of the current scope of
assistance being given to the NCPA.

J. Funding Mechanism: Funding for the program will be
directly between the USG and GSL.

K. Point Of Contact: Jason Wemhoener-Cuite, Political
Officer, phone: 940-1-448-007 x2425.

WILLS

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