Sri Lanka, Nov. 19 -- The Trans Equality Trust (TET) has raised serious concern that between 25% and 30% of transgender sex workers in the country are addicted to drugs, including ice, heroin, marijuana and alcohol.

TET Executive Director Kasuni Mayadunna said the organization's registered data indicates there are over 5,000 transgender people in Sri Lanka, with the majority pushed into sex work after being removed from their families and homes.

She said many transgender sex workers live in rented rooms or shared boarding houses in isolated areas, and are forced to continue in the profession to afford drugs as well as basic living costs.

According to Ms. Mayadunna, many avoid rehabilitation programmes because they have no family suppor...