Sri Lankan immigration authorities have expressed serious concern over the rising number of foreign nationals misusing tourist visas to engage in unauthorized businesses, particularly operating or working in spas, massage parlours, and suspected brothels.
In a recent raid on July 14, officers from the Investigation Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration arrested 10 foreign women at a massage parlour in the Kollupitiya area for violating visa conditions.
The arrested individuals, aged between 25 and 39, included six Thai nationals, three Vietnamese nationals, and one Chinese national. All had entered the country on tourist visas, with four found to have overstayed their permitted stay.
A senior immigration official stated that the raid followed the analysis of immigration data, which revealed suspicious activity involving foreign nationals in several urban areas.
“These individuals were clearly in violation of their visa terms—some had overstayed, while others were illegally employed in spas and other establishments that often operate as brothels,” the official said.
The arrested women are currently being held at the Welisara Detention Centre and are expected to be deported soon.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration is continuing nationwide raids, targeting such illegal activities in the Western Province and expanding operations to the Southern and Northern regions, including Jaffna.
Authorities have warned that both foreign nationals found violating visa regulations and those who aid them will face strict legal action.
