The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) had no plans to set up a red light area within Colombo City Limits, Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil said.

He told Daily Mirror the proposal submitted by UNP Councillor W.P. Malagama that a red light area be set up within the Colombo City would not be acted upon because it was just the view of an individual.

Earlier Mr. Malagama said the benefits of his proposal would only be witnessed in years to come.

“There is so much of child abuse and sexual harassment in the country. If such a red light zone is set up people can fulfill their sexual needs without harming innocent women and children. Red light zones of this kind are an integral part of other Asian countries including Thailand and Vietnam. Why can’t Sri Lanka follow suit?. The wisdom of this thinking will not be felt today but in the years to come,” he said.

Mr. Malagama asked rationale behind the refusal to legalize prostitution.

“Why can’t prostitution be legalized like gaming parlours and liquor bars have been legalized in this country” he asked. The Mayor however rubbished the idea of establishing a red light area as proposed.

“This proposal was the councillor’s personal idea which came up during a discussion about child abuse. The CMC has no intention of acting upon the proposal or creating a red light area,” he said (Yohan Perera and Hafeel Farisz)