“Spas offering massage therapy to be formalized business sector”

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Ceylon Massage Therapists Association President Prasanna Munasinghe stated that spas offering massage therapy are not prostitution centres and that according to the rules and regulations that will be prepared in the future, a network of such high-quality spas will be set up in the country.

He mentioned this recently at a media briefing held at Nippon Hotel, Colombo.

Munasinghe said: “After a discussion held by the representatives of our association with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President’s Public Relations Director General Thusitha Halloluwa contacted us and advised us to formalize this business and standardize it under the emerging tourism sector. Spas are not brothels. Massage therapy is an important remedy for the human body according to the Ayurvedic system.”

“We requested him to take measures to raid and close illegal places run under the name of spas. Accordingly, the President’s Public Relations Director General also held a discussion with the Inspector General of Police and asked them to stop raids for three months until this is basically arranged and help formalize this network. However, the raids in the Western Province are still being carried out unnecessarily despite the requests of the IGP. We recall that at this time, too.”

“At present, during discussions to formalize these centres, the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry and the Ayurveda Department and their legal departments have taken into consideration the recommendations that we have submitted and legislation is being formulated.”

“The business was doing well till 2019 and then it started going astray. We also need to remove illegal centres where irregularities occur and regulate this through a committee appointed by the Government which will include us and we want to establish a network of spas in this country that provide standardized and good services to both locals and foreign tourists.”

Anura Premalal