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by Talia Jayasekera

A few weeks ago the story broke that certain "Herbal Centres" in Colombo were actually brothels. A surprising discovery? Hardly! It does not take a brain surgeon to realise this very basic fact. The people of our country could hardly be termed as ignorant.

What other conclusion can one come to when we see cheap boards advertising herbal massages outside equally cheap and dilapidated buildings. So-called `nurses' wearing the flimsiest of outfits, leaving nothing to the imagination, stand like beacons at the entrances of these establishments. By no means do we have to be Einstein.

While most of us giggle with a mixture of amusement and embarrassment at this evident trash, one does wonder how these 'centres' get licences to open and stay in business without being raided very often! Were the authorities comatose these past several years while these centres mushroomed in every seedy location? Were they not aware of the situation?

Though the Police maintain that these establishments are regularly raided in the Bambalapitiya, Wellawatte, Narahenpita and Kirulapone areas, this has done nothing to stem the spread and expansion. Investigations verified that some of these centres, run by businessmen, obtain Board of Investment (BOI) approval to start their businesses under the 'normal law' of the country.

There is no minimum investment figure and they are not subject to stringent BOI regulations. The applications of approval, submitted by these businessmen, are on the basis of maintaining traditional "herbal medical centres" with a special system of acupuncture.

This however is quite the contrary if one actually visits these 'centres'. They have neither the qualifications nor the facilities to practise traditional "Chinese herbal medicine".

In fact, it is non-existent and the flamboyant, heavily made-up Madame at the front desk will prove just that! One's nostrils are met with smells of cloying perfume instead of 'herbal' drugs with no medical equipment in sight. Customer charges can range from the minimum price of Rs. 500 to Rs 3,000 for services rendered by young frightened looking girls to the hardened veterans. A mix of nationalities is available to the choosy customer - Chinese, Russian, Thai and Sri Lankan - a disquieting realisation of the desperation of these women, so far from home. But business is good and these women are paid between Rs 8,000 to RS 10,000 a month.

The BOI launched an investigation of its own into 14 such medical centres approved under Section 16 of the BOI Act. Their conclusion? Six centres proved to be brothels and their BOI approval licences have been taken up in courts. Under existing laws, any businessman interested in investing in Sri Lanka, first has to submit their application for approval to the BOI.

The form, with a US $ 100 processing fee, asks for the particulars of the collaborators, summary of the proposed project and the products marketed. It also asks extensive questions of the nature of the business such as the programme of implementation, estimated cost of project, manpower requirements, location, machinery used, electricity requirements and so on.

These applications are then divided into different categories depending on the nature of the business. Companies that seek approval under the `normal law' of the country will not benefit from various tax concessions provided by the Government.

In contrast, foreigners hoping to invest in the country under Section 17 may only proceed if they meet the minimum investment requirements and other various conditions. Thereafter their operations are strictly monitored.

However, businesses set up under Section 16 are not as rigidly regulated. It is alleged that neither evaluations nor follow-ups are conducted by the BOI's Monitoring Division. BOI officials state that since these businesses are approved under the normal law of the country, it is a task of the police and other agencies to take action.

A senior official speaking with the Daily News said that out of the six centres that were proved brothels, two had already been closed down and their licences revoked. The other four centres have cases pending against them in courts. The police have already filed action against them and submitted the necessary information.

"There have been no other applications for approval for "Chinese herbal centres" for a year now and we are discouraging further requests", he said.

"When an application of this nature is submitted to us, we get the relevant information and we then forward the application to the Ministry of Health for them to issue the necessary guidelines for the centre. After the guidelines are established, we issue the applicant a formal letter of approval and grant their resident visa status. But the person also must be able to show a minimum investment of US $ 50,000".

"The Monitoring Department of the BOI does conduct follow-ups but we cannot be expected to spend the whole day at such establishments to see what they are up to", he said. "It is the job of the Police to investigate these places and file action.

Kirullapone police officials claim that all brothels, in that area, operating under the guise of herbal centres have been closed and the women deported. They also allege that brothels in other areas are still very much active because certain officers take bribes from the brothel owners.

We all know prostitution is the oldest profession in history but it seems that it now comes in various ways and forms. Instead fancier names such herbal therapist or masseurse are used to disguise this speciality.

Unlike the common man, these aliases seem to dupe the officials! They cannot differentiate between a legitimate herbal centre and a brothel. And we wonder why the country is in the state that it is.

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