The government has decided to ban begging on the streets of Colombo, from January next year. 

The decision was announced by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday. 

Speaking to Asian Mirror, a senior government spokesman said beggars in Colombo mostly function as a business network run by a handful of people.

'In most cases, the money goes to those who run the business and beggars only get a daily wage," he added. 

The spokesman said there was a noticeable increase in the number of beggars of Colombo streets over the past two years. 

He also added that the growing number of beggars on the capital city's streets was a deterrent to the tourism industry - the third highest revenue generator for Sri Lanka.