At a time when women’s safety during solo travel is still a hot topic, a New Zealand tourist in Sri Lanka found herself at the centre of an unsettling encounter, one that later reignited online debates about victim-blaming.
The incident came to light after the traveller shared a video on Instagram recounting what happened during her month-long solo trip.
She said she was riding a tuk-tuk when she noticed a man on a scooter repeatedly slowing down and speeding up to pass her. She initially brushed it off until he reappeared when she stopped to rest and have a drink.
The man then got off his scooter and approached her. Despite a slight language barrier, she chatted with him briefly as he seemed friendly at first. But the conversation quickly took a disturbing turn.
He suddenly asked her for sex and exposed himself. Startled, she politely refused and immediately drove off.
“Have sex?” the man asked. “Definitely not, no,” she replied.
Says it was an isolated case, not reflective of Sri Lanka
In her caption, the tourist stressed that the incident should not be used to generalise an entire country. She wrote that Sri Lankans were “some of the kindest and most generous people” she had met, and described the encounter as an isolated case.
In a follow-up video, she addressed online comments blaming her for travelling alone. She pushed back against the criticism, saying women should be able to explore the world safely and that men who behave inappropriately, not female travellers are the real problem.
She emphasised that she felt safe throughout her trip and urged viewers not to let one person’s behaviour shape their view of Sri Lanka or solo female travel.
Authorities acted quickly, suspect arrested within 5 days
According to Australian outlet News AU, the tourist lodged a report with the Tourism Police Department after leaving the country.
Sri Lankan authorities acted swiftly, locating the suspect within two days and arresting him within five. He is now facing court proceedings.
Watch the full clip here:
