Over 30,000 prostitutes

8 August 2010 10:06 am - 61 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Lakna Paranamanna

Some 30,000 – 40,000 prostitutes currently operate countrywide in thousands of trafficking centers, the Health Education Bureau (HEB) told Daily Mirror online.

According to HEB Media Coordinator Dr. Shantha Hettiarachchi, although an accurate survey has not been conducted on this topic due to the undercover manner in which the individuals in this trade as well as these rackets operate, the fact had been revealed through extensive research conducted on many victims of the local sex trade.

“Through various researches conducted mainly through the National STD and AIDS Control Program (NSACP) it is possible to determine the average numbers ranging among 30,000 – 40,000. However, these numbers constantly increase and decrease,” Dr. Hettiarachchi told Daily Mirror online.

Speaking further he also said that unlike several years ago, the brothels now mostly operate in the guise of massage parlours or karaoke clubs. Additionally he also said that now the racketeers have also begun trading these women using ‘mobile units’, utilizing vans or similar vehicle types. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 61

Senior Citizen Monday, 09 August 2010 05:12 AM

No, they are called social workers

Jay Sunday, 08 August 2010 01:36 PM

Well said

meranchi Sunday, 08 August 2010 01:45 PM

you only looking for the money country go to hill no problem

saman Sunday, 08 August 2010 01:48 PM

Even I wonder Where That too 30,000 + or are we saying that all who got STD / AIDS were prostitutes !? ha sounds like some easy stats !!!

citizen1 Sunday, 08 August 2010 02:01 PM

Don't be silly, there have always been prostitutes in our country! It's just that they are doing this stuff in the open now.

mali Sunday, 08 August 2010 02:30 PM

prostitution should be legalize in the country.

Above the Crowd Sunday, 08 August 2010 03:17 PM

Give me a break,Get out of here!!!!

Above the Crowd Sunday, 08 August 2010 03:18 PM

You should know your pros and cons to engage in this topic

Student Sunday, 08 August 2010 03:52 PM

Mr Girigoris,

This is the oldest job in the worl . not only in Srilanka dont be silly man,

Calistus Jayatilleke Sunday, 08 August 2010 05:10 PM

A prostitute is a prostitute who prostitutes prostitutes.

Modawansa Monday, 09 August 2010 02:54 AM

Does this number include political prostitutes?

Cynic Monday, 09 August 2010 03:00 AM

Whatever the number don't forget to include the 225 in Diyawanna Oya.

Geronimo Monday, 09 August 2010 03:11 AM

...including thyself!!!!

SpaceCab Monday, 09 August 2010 03:45 AM

People who think prostitution should be legalized are sick.
People who visit prostitutes are sick.
Prostitutes are sick.
All of the above need psychological help.

reader Monday, 09 August 2010 04:29 AM

I wonder how can there be a profession as prostitution without clients or customers. Everybody talks big about the profession but nobody talks about the clients. If the customers could be punished the profession will automatical die off.

hejey Monday, 09 August 2010 04:33 AM

Is there any country in the world without this?
In some countries, they don't call it prostitution.. social freedom..

KABAB Sunday, 08 August 2010 01:34 PM

While research is in progress, have the authorities made arrangements to arrest and lock them?

Gunawathie Monday, 09 August 2010 05:12 AM

Why can't our men folks boycot this trade ? ha ha.

Gamey-kolla Monday, 09 August 2010 05:19 AM

Very well Said brother!!!

Lionel Monday, 09 August 2010 05:41 AM

Another move by the government to take away the livelihood of people.

King kong Monday, 09 August 2010 05:45 AM

This is the oldest job in the world. Not a thing to make statements like this. Talk about something else.

Tom Monday, 09 August 2010 05:51 AM

And 3,000 to 5,000 from those who get caught in the vehicle. How much did that famous Judge pay??

suwimal Monday, 09 August 2010 06:04 AM

You can say that again, Dilan. Yes, That's what aught to be done!!

TMA Monday, 09 August 2010 06:28 AM

This should B regulated not illegalised. When this is illegalised U can never regulate what is illegal. Australia is a good example for the regulation of prostitution

Ajith Monday, 09 August 2010 07:11 AM

In many western countries if the woman propositions a man that is called prostitution. If a man propositions a woman nothing happens????

Citizen Monday, 09 August 2010 09:13 AM

Is not the figure quite big? Why not the Govt. appointing one of them under Nation List to Parliament in place of the IMFAMOUS Nincompoop?

xlntgson Monday, 09 August 2010 10:06 AM

They have lot of customers when they are young and youthful, thereafter they beg on the streets. Who exploited them, their abusers and their jilted lovers should be asked to pay for their rehabilitation. Sudden lay-offs are also a reason say some pros' but the scare of sexually communicated diseases have not completely reduced the demand. The labour laws' delays to inquire sudden dismissals should also take the blame.

R.Dias Monday, 09 August 2010 11:53 AM

Truly agree with you. We also can witness the Cops and Politicians demanding prefential treatment..... ha haaa...

N.C.Wijeratne Monday, 09 August 2010 01:14 PM

The Big Company can start another Business now!

Citizen Kane Tuesday, 10 August 2010 02:58 AM

I think u r sick.... prostitution is mainly a product of poverty and social issues..its nothing to do with sickness and locking up these women will not solve this issue as long as poverty and ignorance prevails.. govmnt must address how to find these women alternative employment or better regulate the massage parlours and karoke bars...

firoz Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:00 AM

For all those trying to justify by stating that its an age old profession and that it should be legalize , i would like to ask if you would be saying the same if it was some one from your own family ? If something was age old, that doesnt make it right. These things corrupt and spoil the very moral fabric of society. If you wouldnt wish the same fate for your own mother,sister,daughter or cousin why would you for someone elses !

Dilan Sunday, 08 August 2010 08:06 AM

There is no point making statements like this and pretending this has no place in a "dharma rajya". We all know the role of prostitutes even during the Buddha's time. Rather than acting like it can be stopped, it would be better to legalize it in certain areas and then regulate it because it will only increase with tourism. These women resort to this act due to easy money and their level of poverty. All this can be regulated and controlled. Then we will truly be the "miracle of Asia."

naren Sunday, 08 August 2010 08:38 AM

The next biggest threat after dengue. Mervyn pls help sri lanka on this. Tie up all the men (mp's) visiting these prostitues to the tree..

meranchi Sunday, 08 August 2010 08:45 AM

very Sad to read such big numbers in srilanka what went wrong?

Jayapalan Poet Sunday, 08 August 2010 08:47 AM

Defeat of Tiger extended it to North East also

xlntgson Sunday, 08 August 2010 08:56 AM

Oldest job has few customers!

Sanjaya Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:18 AM

Oh Please doctor.....Is this a priority nowadays? Why won't you comment on the actions taken by HEB to create awareness about the causes of dengue fever among our citizens. Nothing is it?

Edwardo Baltazar Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:21 AM

at one point this pros is telling that they are paying 1000-2000 per day to the police....wow......good amount per month that means 30000/= hahhahah

pj Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:27 AM

Necessary evils !!??

ajith Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:29 AM

So what?Are they a burden to the government ?The government is lucky that they are on their own.
It is the duty of the government to look after them with proper care,advice, doctors services like in most of the south east Asian countries without harassing them.
This job is the oldest profession from lord Buddhas time and famous all over the world and nothing new.
It is the dirty mind that made them bad.

Girigoris Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:33 AM

This is the result of the sagging economy and the loss of the GSP+.

Dr Gamunu Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:39 AM

Once, he was a supplier and he claimed in a public rally that he had children from other affairs in his village.

Dilan Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:43 AM

Please educate yourself about the GSP and the economy before talking rubbish.

skn Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:50 AM

The reason for this situation is lack of religiousness in people. because,religion bans this job.

saman Sunday, 08 August 2010 09:59 AM

some sense to apply most of the garment industries have shut and girls do not have job ! even in most of the MP's research shows girls are from garment industry

K.L Sunday, 08 August 2010 07:29 AM

what should be grilled is not the amount of sexual traders but the accurate causes that have driven them to engage in that profession.

MagodisThuma Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:17 AM

Where ?.

MagodisThuma Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:18 AM

Not enough... of-course !

kane Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:25 AM

This business is wide spread all over the world and there is country exempted.

IrajCalifornia Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:25 AM

There should be more high quality women ....!!!

sz Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:32 AM

Pls stop talking go to sleep !!!!

Ruwan Ferdinandez Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:50 AM

Religions are the problem mate. Religions can't control poverty, social problems or testosterone. These problems unfortunately get severe because they are side effects of global development. This is a problem that needs addressing in the right way. Legalising whole sale will not help either. A few intelligent and caring people need to sit down and put together a practical solution.

Marikar Sunday, 08 August 2010 10:56 AM

When cost of living is so high! What else can you do? Fall to the oldest profession to earn a fast buck.
Why not we have a RED LIGHT AREA? It will give some employment to these 40,000 people.

economist Sunday, 08 August 2010 11:02 AM

what about imposing NATION BUILDING TAX on this trade?

Mithraka Fernando Sunday, 08 August 2010 11:43 AM

HOW CAN ANY ONE STOP WORLD'S OLDEST PROFESSION?? BEST OPTION IS TO TIE THESE HOOKERS TO TREES!! PLEASE OBTAIN CONCURRENCE FROM MERVYN!!

Sanjaya Sunday, 08 August 2010 11:49 AM

some peopel talk as if they are saints. We have millions of saints in this country. hear hear!

Patriot Sunday, 08 August 2010 12:14 PM

There is no point trying act a saint and create a closed up society. If you really review the consequences it is better to legalize prostitution and place controls.

Musthafa Sunday, 08 August 2010 12:22 PM

It i show the weakness of the cultural and religious affairs in the country, Goverment must have advisory panal from each religion to study this issue, may be povety, or no husband? or dowry, or by human trafficking? or no rules implemented by the goverment? or involvement of politicians, root causes must be identified, I believe Religious practice in the country has restriction to follow by the rulers or no implementation.

for example: Islam says if you are not satisfy with your wife- do not seek prostitute- but you can merry another girl with the concern of ur first wife- i want people to think how can we over come this issue???

Mahesh Sunday, 08 August 2010 12:25 PM

What? This is just ridiculous number....Country's population is 20 million. Lets assume 50% women - that is 10 million. If there are 40,000 prostitutes in 10 million, that equals to 0.4%. i.e. one in every 250 women in SL are pros...not a bad record from already a corrupt country.

Socity Sunday, 08 August 2010 01:00 PM

What do you call the Men who visit these Prostitutes. How many are there in Nos. ( VVIPS, Social Heads. Mps, So many types )...

Only women are found fault.

When Jesus was asked to give his opnion on the Prostite was to be stoned. He wrote on the sand, who ever has not sinnned throw the first stone.

There was not any one to stone the Lady.

So get statitic of the men who visit thme too.

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Over 30,000 prostitutes

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