A solo woman traveller from New Zealand faced harassment and indecent exposure while exploring Sri Lanka on a tuk-tuk (Aut0-Rikshaw). The disturbing incident occurred on her fourth day of travel when a local man on a scooter began following her. She captured the encounter in a video posted on her Instagram, which has since gone viral.
The man was arrested on the day of the incident. The woman, reflecting on the ordeal, said it left her shaken but determined not to let it ruin her trip.
The Harassment Incident
Her day began on a positive note with a sunrise swim, but the mood quickly changed. She recounted, “A man was driving a scooter in front of me, and he would continuously slow down, and I would have to pass him, and then he would speed up and pass me again.”
Initially, she smiled at him but ignored him as his behaviour became uncomfortable. She believed she had lost him when he turned off the road, only for him to reappear later.
“I pulled over to have a small rest and a drink, and he appeared again. He got off his scooter and came to talk to me. There was a bit of a language barrier, but he seemed friendly, so I let him talk to me, but then it quickly turned uncomfortable. He asked where I was staying, and I knew where it was going,” she recalled.
The man then asked her for sex before exposing himself, and she drove away visibly shaken.
“I could not believe he asked me that question, and after I said no, he still dared to expose himself to me like that,” she said.
Impact on Solo Travel Experience
The traveller reflected on the challenges of being a woman travelling alone, “I am not going to let it ruin my trip, but it has knocked my confidence back a little bit. The price you pay for being a solo female. It shouldn’t be, but unfortunately, it’s reality, and I am just angry that that man is making me feel like this.”
She emphasized the importance of speaking up during such incidents, “I guess this is just another reminder to set aside people pleasing and speak up loudly when things like this happen.”
Message to Other Travellers
In her Instagram caption, she stressed that the incident was isolated and should not define Sri Lanka, “I want to be clear: this does not define Sri Lanka. The local people I met were some of the kindest and most generous I’ve ever encountered. This was one man, one moment – not a reflection of an entire country.”
She further shared her perspective on the realities of solo female travel, “Solo travelling is incredible – but it’s not always sunshine and smiles. Some days test your strength and remind you to stay alert.”
The 23-year-old man involved in the harassment was arrested on Monday. Local authorities and law enforcement agencies have pledged to ensure his prosecution.
