The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the National Action Plan 2026–2028 for implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), reaffirming the country’s commitment to improving migration governance and protecting the rights of migrants.
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was adopted by United Nations member states in 2018 as the first intergovernmentally negotiated framework covering all dimensions of international migration. It seeks to promote international cooperation on migration while ensuring that migration takes place in a safe, orderly and regular manner.
Sri Lanka endorsed the Global Compact in 2018 and subsequently developed its first National Action Plan for the period 2022–2025, following the establishment of a national coordination mechanism in 2021 to oversee implementation.
With the current action plan nearing completion, the Cabinet approved a proposal to implement a new National Action Plan for 2026–2028. The proposal was presented by the Minister of Public Security, Parliamentary Affairs and Media.
The new action plan aims to strengthen migration governance through coordinated action among relevant institutions while promoting safe migration, protecting the rights and welfare of migrants, and enhancing cooperation on migration management. It also seeks to align Sri Lanka’s migration policies with international commitments and contribute to sustainable development through effective migration governance. (Newswire)