This study was conducted to ascertain the vulnerability of persons affected by human trafficking in Sri Lanka. It targeted the tourist populated coastal belt to identify the intensity of labour, commercial (sexual), and child trafficking, including victim sources, networks, and identification of perpetrators. An important element of the research findings was that the majority of individuals were ‗forced to migrate‘ into the hands of the traffickers due to issues related to poverty, disempowerment and social dislocation. These victims transited to their helpless status over a prolonged period of time undergoing a rash of distressing situations. For this reason, provision of protection to these circumstantial forced migrants comprise a dual approach of stronger measures for regulating the internal and external migration process while expanding livelihoods and economic opportunities, information, and choices for employment.