Sri Lanka, Oct. 29 -- The Film Exhibitors Association has raised concerns over the growing number of private "movie rooms" operating in cities across the country, warning that they pose a threat to legitimate cinema halls and raise concerns over regulatory compliance and public morality.

Association President Anuradha B. Rekawa said these establishments rent out rooms by the hour to couples and groups under the pretext of watching films, allegedly operating without proper regulatory oversight.

"What happens in these places is that for a certain amount of money, for an hour or two, a room is given for a couple or two, or other groups, to spend two hours inside a room. The situation is that nobody regulates the activities taking place in...