Forced to Sell "Love" In Sri Lanka

In my video, I discuss the rise in popularity of sex work in Sri Lanka due to the ongoing crisis. While prostitution isn't illegal in Sri Lanka, activities like soliciting, procuring, and running brothels are. Trafficking is illegal. Despite these laws, it's estimated that there are around 40,000 prostitutes in Sri Lanka, with nearly half in Colombo. Issues like trafficking persist. workers often avoid using protection as they can be evidence of work upon arrest. UNAIDS promotes safe practices among them.

Trafficking is a significant concern. Sri Lanka is a source and destination for trafficking, involving both local and foreign women. Some Sri Lankan women are forced into "work" abroad. Within the country, brothels, some of which exploit trafficking victims, operate with alleged police complicity. There's also evidence of officials colluding to provide fake travel documents for trafficking purposes."