Night-life in the city

Violation of the Excise Ordinance:

Police have declared war on illegal Karaoke Night Clubs that operate within the city of Colombo. Last week the Central Anti Vice Striking Force (CAVSF) at Walana Panadura raided four Karaoke clubs and two night clubs located at R. A. Del Mawatha, Havelock road, High Level road, Galle road, Colombo 7 area and at Kollupitiya. Police had received several petitions regarding illegal activities taking place at Karaoke clubs.

OIC, Central Anti Vice Striking Force (CAVSF), Chief Inspector Duminda Balasooriya said the clubs did not posses valid licences to operate. He said girls and women from rural areas have been employed to work as hostesses by club bosses by promising them big money. The girls have been lured or forced into the sex trade by bosses who encourage them to hob nob with clients who call over at Karaoke clubs.

In the course of the raids it came to light that Karaoke clubs have violated the provisions of the Excise ordinance by selling liquor after hours. It was also suspected drug were sold to clients patronising these clubs.

When police entered these Karaokes they found scantily dressed girls and women strutting about in tight Denim trousers and in spiked heels to hide their voluptuous curves, serving liquor and entertaining their clients.

Police said the women have been coaxed by their bosses to hob nob with male clients and to persuaded them to consume expensive liquor at these clubs.

OIC Balasooriya said that they have received several petitions regarding illegal activities taking place at karaokes such as drug peddling and prostitution. He said Karaoke clubs were patronised by persons flushed with cash and those linked to criminal activity.

The men spend vast sums of money for a night on women and liquor. A bottle of foreign liquor was sold at Rs. 20,000 and a bottle of Arrack at Rs. 5,000. A bottle of beer sold at Rs. 650-700, while a soft drink at Rs. 450, a slice of cheese at Rs. 200, and a plate of chicken at Rs. 600. Club bosses pay special allowances to women hostesses who bring in revenue to the clubs.

To make their life comfortable Karaoke hostesses from outstations are provided with accommodation at these clubs. “Most Karaoke clubs sold liquor after hours and we have decided to file action in court against Karaoke clubs. We are also probing into the activities of women employed at these clubs,” OIC Balasooriya said.”

It was further revealed that Karaokes charge an entrance fee of Rs. 1,500 from a customer, while privileged customers have to pay Rs. 15,000 to enter the VIP section. Male guests have special privileges at VIP sections where they freely hob nob with scantily clad women.

However when disputes arose with regard to settlement of bills and for misbehaving with women, heavily built bouncers employed at these clubs beat guests and evict them forcibly.

Each Karaokes employ around 10-15 women to look after guests. Police found that among them were girls who pursue higher education at institutions to earn extra money. It was also revealed that some customers have even settled bills ranging from Rs. 50,000-60,000 for a night.

A fortnight ago when police raided a night club in Colombo they found school boys mostly grade 13 students from a leading school in Kandy merry making inside the club. Further investigations by the CAVSF had shed more light on the activities of the Karaokes in the city.

The night clubs were not issued licences by the Colombo Municipality to operate. To circumvent the problem Karaokes have obtained licenses from the Municipality by submitting false data. They operate under the guise of hotels and restaurants. Meanwhile the state coffers have lost millions of rupees by way of revenue due to fraudulent activities of Karaoke club owners.

Under the licensing act one percent of the income a Karaoke club earns should be credited to the local authorities, police said. The recent raids were conducted on the instructions of IGP Victor Perera to wipe out illegal activities in the city. DIG Staff D. A. De Fonseka and Director, CAVSF, SSP Jaythana Perera supervised the raids conducted by OIC ,CAVSF, Chief Inspector Duminda Balasooriya.

Karaokes in the Colombo city and else where have thriving business today with people flushed with cash. Karaokes first appeared in the amusement quarter of Kobe Japan where it became popular among businessmen in the late 1970s. It thereafter gained widespread popularity in the US in the late 1980s. It is usually featured in bars where patrons can perform on a stage and sing popular hits by reading lyrics electronically displayed on a monitor.

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