The Lanka Spa Massage Owners’ Association has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, seeking an order directing the Attorney General to expedite the drafting of legislation to regulate spa and massage therapy services.

The petition names the Attorney General and several others as respondents.

The association, comprising licensed spa and massage business owners registered with the Department of Ayurveda, stated that all their establishments employ qualified Ayurvedic doctors and trained therapists.

However, the petition notes that the issuance of licences for the establishments has been suspended since 2019, leading to repeated police raids and disruptions of their services.

The petitioners argue that they have learned of plans to draft a new bill to regulate the sector and therefore urge the court to order the Attorney General to prepare and present the draft law without delay.