Sleuths of the Gampola police who raided the brothel several times in the past always found that the sex workers there were below 20 years. The police in a bid to find out how the brothel owner managed to have a continuous supply of women below 20, launched a separate investigation.
The investigation uncovered that the brothel owners had a network of persons who paid visits to probation homes around the country and became legal guardians of the girls who turned The young women were then forced into prostitution, according to the police.
The underage girls found guilty of various offences or victims of sexual abuse without parents or guardians are directed to the probation homes by the courts. According to the provisions and procedures, any Sri Lankan could become a guardian of a war once she turns 18 and take her away with her consent.
The cartel of operatives had made use of this provision, the police said. An year-old arrested from the brothel has told police that she is from Embilipitiya area and on becoming a legal adult the manager of the brothel had taken her from the probation home. The manager was from Dehiattakandiya area, police said. On the day the police raided the brothel, the victim had earned Rs.
The girl and the manager would be produced before Gampola Magistrate Upul Rajakaruna, police said adding that they would conduct further investigations to nab the other members of the cartel. The manager had charged Rs. Breaking News. Featured News Righting miscarriage of justice Read More.
