The complaint was submitted by the Association for the Protection of Public Rights, which also announced plans to file a separate complaint with the Acting Inspector General of Police, requesting an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved in the operation.
Attorney Susantha Gunawardena stated that photographs and video footage of the women had been circulated despite the fact that they remain suspects and have not been convicted of any offence.
He stressed that under the Constitution, every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and argued that publicly revealing the identities of the women amounted to humiliation and a violation of their rights.
The Association has requested the HRCSL to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident and urged the Acting IGP to examine whether any police officers acted improperly during the operation.
A representative of the Lanka Spa Association also expressed concern over the manner in which the raids were conducted, claiming that women employed in the industry had been unfairly stigmatized and treated as criminals.
She noted that many workers in the sector had received professional training but continue to face difficulties and social stigma following such operations.
The complaint follows a recent raid carried out by the Walana Central Anti-Vice Strike Force on nine establishments in Thalawathugoda that were alleged to be operating as brothels under the guise of massage centres. According to reports, 43 individuals, including 34 women, were arrested during the operation.
