UNODC has been present in Sri Lanka since 2005. The UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) and the Programme Office (PO) are based in Colombo. UNODC is part of part of the UN Sustainable Cooperation Framework (2023-27) in Sri Lanka.

PO-Sri Lanka is guided by the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, based in New Delhi and the UNODC Regional Programme for South Asia (2024-28) launched in May 2024.

UNODC stands ready to support the Government in acquiring further capacity to fight organized crime and strengthen health and criminal justice responses.

With its headquarters in Sri Lanka, UNODC’s GMCP provides a comprehensive approach in tackling maritime crime through capacity-building in interdictions, domain awareness, crime scene investigation, and evidence management. GMCP enjoys excellent partnership with the Government and convenes the Southern Route Partnership under the Indian Ocean Forum on Maritime Crime, fostering international coordination among Indian Ocean States to combat drug trafficking on the Southern Route.