Night spots seem to compete with each other in promoting prostitution!
By Achala Dharmasena
and Pethum Wickremarathna
Karaoke bars are fast becoming places where prostitution is rife, according to our investigations. Juxtaposed to that women who work at karaoke bars are taken by clients to other locations to engage in sexual activities without rousing any suspicion, especially that of the owners of such places.
Investigations also reveal that on days when the clientele is less and income is low, women who work at these bars take to prositution with the clients who drop by, engaging in sexual activities in the toilets of the bars.
Those who frequent karaoke clubs are said to be those from the middle class, and as such can afford a night out as the more expensive night clubs are out of their reach, financially. However, in both karaoke bars and the high class night clubs in the metropolis, postitution seems to be thriving, according to investigations conducted by the LAKBIMAnEWS team.
In search of ‘greener pastures’
Women are recruited to serve in these night spots through advertisements placed in newspapers, while some night spots recruit them to work part time. This arrangement seems to suit certain women as they can have regular day time jobs while working at night clubs and karaoke bars at night as the times of work are
around 10-11 pm and 3-4 am.
Speaking to some of the women working in these places reveals that they come into the cities from their villages in search of ‘greener pastures’ but having secured jobs at night clubs or places where there is entertainment at night, they are invariably lured into prositution, most often against their wishes.
Sold above stipulated rates
Of interest is the fact that these women also sell food and liquor at prices above stipulated rates as such sales entitle them to a commission by the management. Cigarettes, alcohol and food so sold enables them to rake in extra cash at the end of the day from the management of the night spot they work for. Cigarettes for example sold at night clubs and karaoke bars are invariably imported and range between Rs950-Rs1000 per pack.
While food is sold at above average prices, alcohol too is over priced according to sources who operate at these night spots. In the case of alcohol, clients are charged Rs1000-Rs2000 more than what they would pay at a local bar. As such, what a client might spend in an evening would be in the range of Rs10,000.
Investigations also reveal that these women tell their clients how they have ended up at night clubs or karaoke bars in their pursuit of finding employment to overcome the poverty they are faced with in their villages, and that owners of these places do not pay them a salary that is commensurate with the work that they do.
As revealed in past articles, night clubs and karaoke bars are also known to sell illegal drugs to their clients. Whilst such sales are carried out covertly, some resort to doing so overtly, investigations reveal. Illegal drugs are mixed with fruit juices, in soda and beer, and served to clients, it was alleged.
It was also alleged that such drinks are given to young clients in order to make them addicts, and was one of the reasons a prominent casino on D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10, was raided recently.
By Achala Dharmasenaand Pethum Wickremarathna
Karaoke bars are fast becoming places where prostitution is rife, according to our investigations. Juxtaposed to that women who work at karaoke bars are taken by clients to other locations to engage in sexual activities without rousing any suspicion, especially that of the owners of such places.
Investigations also reveal that on days when the clientele is less and income is low, women who work at these bars take to prositution with the clients who drop by, engaging in sexual activities in the toilets of the bars.
Those who frequent karaoke clubs are said to be those from the middle class, and as such can afford a night out as the more expensive night clubs are out of their reach, financially. However, in both karaoke bars and the high class night clubs in the metropolis, postitution seems to be thriving, according to investigations conducted by the LAKBIMAnEWS team.
In search of ‘greener pastures’
Women are recruited to serve in these night spots through advertisements placed in newspapers, while some night spots recruit them to work part time. This arrangement seems to suit certain women as they can have regular day time jobs while working at night clubs and karaoke bars at night as the times of work are
around 10-11 pm and 3-4 am.Speaking to some of the women working in these places reveals that they come into the cities from their villages in search of ‘greener pastures’ but having secured jobs at night clubs or places where there is entertainment at night, they are invariably lured into prositution, most often against their wishes.
Sold above stipulated rates
Of interest is the fact that these women also sell food and liquor at prices above stipulated rates as such sales entitle them to a commission by the management. Cigarettes, alcohol and food so sold enables them to rake in extra cash at the end of the day from the management of the night spot they work for. Cigarettes for example sold at night clubs and karaoke bars are invariably imported and range between Rs950-Rs1000 per pack.
While food is sold at above average prices, alcohol too is over priced according to sources who operate at these night spots. In the case of alcohol, clients are charged Rs1000-Rs2000 more than what they would pay at a local bar. As such, what a client might spend in an evening would be in the range of Rs10,000.
Investigations also reveal that these women tell their clients how they have ended up at night clubs or karaoke bars in their pursuit of finding employment to overcome the poverty they are faced with in their villages, and that owners of these places do not pay them a salary that is commensurate with the work that they do.
As revealed in past articles, night clubs and karaoke bars are also known to sell illegal drugs to their clients. Whilst such sales are carried out covertly, some resort to doing so overtly, investigations reveal. Illegal drugs are mixed with fruit juices, in soda and beer, and served to clients, it was alleged.
It was also alleged that such drinks are given to young clients in order to make them addicts, and was one of the reasons a prominent casino on D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10, was raided recently.
