November 24, Colombo (LNW): A Sri Lankan social welfare organisation has raised alarm over the growing number of young women leaving state-run probation and child detention centres who find themselves with so few options that they end up turning to sex work soon after they turn 18.
According to H. A. Lakshman, Executive Director of the Praja Shakthi Development Foundation, many of these girls arrive at such institutions after suffering severe neglect, harassment, or sexual abuse, while others are placed there simply because they have no parents or stable home environment.
Once released, he said, they are left to fend for themselves with little training, no financial cushion, and almost no guidance.
Lakshman added that the absence of structured vocational support means many struggle even to secure basic employment. Faced with immediate economic pressure, some turn to sex work as the only readily available source of income.
Others, upon returning to unsafe environments, encounter further exploitation, making it even harder for them to break away from the cycle.
He stressed that the foundation does not compel these young women to abandon their current means of survival but stands ready to work with the government on any initiative that provides safer, more dignified opportunities.
Approximately 10,000 female sex workers are currently registered with the organisation, many of whom entered the trade shortly after leaving state care.
Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Namal Sudarshana acknowledged that precise figures are difficult to track but admitted that girls leaving detention at 18 often do so without guardians, mentors, or community support.
He noted that the government is considering extending their stay in such centres until the age of 20 or 21, giving them more time to access stability and training.
Planned programmes include vocational instruction in areas such as baking, beauty therapy, and courses leading to NVQ qualifications—efforts aimed at helping these young women step into the workforce with genuine skills rather than desperation.
