Authorities have reported no formal complaints regarding online prostitution in Sri Lanka this year, despite allegations from some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that it is on the rise. 

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Renuka Jayasundara of the Child and Women Abuse Investigation and Prevention Division, the division’s actions remain complaint-driven due to limited resources and the current legal framework.

Jayasundara clarified that the authorities could only act on online prostitution advertisements if a formal complaint was lodged.

“Upon receiving complaints, we initiate investigations and request assistance from relevant bodies such as the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) to monitor websites,” she explained. 

However, she also called for legal reforms to allow law enforcement to take action without the need for a formal complaint.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director WSSP H.W.I.S. Muthumala said that any information related to online prostitution must first be developed into a formal complaint before investigations could begin. She pointed out that existing laws prevented direct action based solely on information gathered.

Despite these limitations, the CID has established a specialised surveillance branch to monitor such activities and is working with SLCERT to track relevant websites. 

However, both DIG Jayasundara and WSSP Muthumala emphasised that the majority of online prostitution cases were rarely reported, with many activities being consensual in nature.

According to reports quoting the NGO National Women’s Unity, nearly 40,000 housewives have resorted to this desperate measure since 2022 due to the lack of job opportunities and economic instability.