New Zealand Woman Faces Sexual Harassment During Solo Tuk-Tuk Journey Through Sri Lanka: Safety Concerns for Female Travelers

A New Zealand woman traveling solo on a tuk-tuk through Sri Lanka experienced harassment when a local man followed her, requested sex, and exposed himself. The incident occurred on her fourth day of travel, as documented in a video she shared on Instagram that went viral. The 23-year-old perpetrator was arrested shortly after the incident.

What began as a pleasant day with a sunrise swim quickly took an unsettling turn when a man on a scooter repeatedly slowed down and sped up around her vehicle. After initially being friendly, she started ignoring him when his behavior became concerning. Despite believing she had lost him when he turned off the road, he reappeared when she stopped for a break.

"He got off his scooter and approached me. Despite some language barriers, he seemed friendly at first, so I engaged in conversation. However, things rapidly became uncomfortable when he asked where I was staying," she recounted in her video.

The footage captured the man soliciting sex from her and proceeding to masturbate after she declined. Visibly distressed, the traveler drove away, later expressing her shock and anger in the video. She mentioned feeling "on edge" for the remainder of her journey.

"I was in disbelief that he would ask such a question, and even after my refusal, he had the audacity to expose himself," she stated. "This serves as another reminder to prioritize personal safety over politeness and to speak out loudly when faced with such situations."

Reflecting on solo female travel challenges, she added, "While I won't allow this incident to ruin my trip, it has certainly affected my confidence. This is unfortunately a reality that solo female travelers face, though it shouldn't be. I'm angry that this man has made me feel this way."

In her Instagram caption, the traveler emphasized that this isolated incident should not characterize Sri Lanka as a whole. "I considered whether to share this experience, but this is the reality of traveling alone as a woman," she wrote. "I want to be clear that this doesn't define Sri Lanka. The local people I've met have been among the kindest and most generous individuals I've ever encountered. This was one person, one incident - not representative of an entire country."

She concluded with thoughts on solo female travel: "Solo traveling is an incredible experience, but it's not always perfect. Some days challenge your strength and remind you to remain vigilant."