The police yesterday swooped down on hundreds of guesthouses, hotels, karaoke clubs and motels in Colombo city and the immediate suburbs, rounding up hundreds of couples, and even couples on beaches.
Yesterday’s pre-dawn raids were carried out under the government’s anti-vice programme - a drive to crack down on pornography, adult movies and prostitution across the country.
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| The police raided two guesthouses in the neighbourhood of Maradana yesterday morning. |
A senior police officer said the crackdown followed similar raids across the country, in which hundreds of couples were arrested and produced in court on charges of indecent behaviour.
The police have also pulled down hoardings and banners at cinema halls that carry undesirable images.
The police officer said the raids would be extended to cover places that sell illicit alcoholic beverages and narcotics or drugs.
He said a large number of raided guesthouses were situated close to tuition venues, which are frequented by school-going youngsters. “Past raids have shown that teenagers get attracted to such places,” he said.
The police checked more than 1,500 guesthouses and similar venues in this week’s raids, and gave the owners and operators stern warnings.
The senior police officer said the government was bent on eradicating vice, and that raids would be carried out on a daily basis. |
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