Police arrested 18 women and a man during raids made on alleged brothel houses that were being run under the guise massage clinics in Thalangama, Pelawata , Thalawatugoda and  Battaramulla areas.

Thalangama police carried out the raid on complaints received from the public.  The suspect women were produced before Kaduwela Magistrate and Addl District Judge Wasantha Jinadasa and released on personal bail of Rs.100, 000 each and the other suspect remanded.

Police told court that the kingpins behind the racket evaded arrest during the raid and that the man taken into custody was an employee.

The magistrate ordered police to refer the suspects to the Colombo National Hospital for medical examination. (Kusal Chamath)