Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has ordered streamlining the operations of Ayurvedic Spas, to prevent the operation of brothels under the guise of spas.
During a meeting with officials from the Ayurvedic Department, Police and Pradeshiya Sabhas, Minister Samarasinghe was informed of a practice where companies register as Ayurvedic Spas or ordinary companies, but operate as brothels.
Discussions were also held on the lack of sufficient laws and proper procedures for regulation, resulting in such Spas being established in tourist areas.
Minister Samarasinghe said that specific laws and regulations must be put in place for the registration of companies at the Pradeshiya Sabha, with approval from the Department of Ayurveda for the operation of Ayurvedic Spas.
He advised the Pradeshiya Sabhas, the Department of Ayurveda, and the Police to discuss and propose recommendations to introduce regulations to prevent the operation of brothels under the guise of Ayurvedic Spas.
Minister Samarasinghe said steps must be taken to shut down brothels operating at Spas, instructing officials to suspend the business registration of establishments raided by the Police and confirmed to be operating as brothels.
The directives were issued following the recent increase in brothels in tourist areas. (Newswire)