Sri Lanka’s Tourist Police have arrested two men in separate incidents involving indecent behaviour directed at foreign female tourists, after videos posted online triggered widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny over traveller safety in the island.
In the first case, police confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old man over an incident reported by a New Zealand national who had been travelling through the East. The tourist lodged a complaint stating that on 25 October, while travelling from Arugam Bay towards Pasikudah, a young man indecently exposed himself during her journey.
She later posted a video of the incident on social media, prompting a wider investigation by the Tourist Police. Officers said the incident took place in the Thirukkovil area and that the original complaint had been recorded on 24 September.
The woman’s video showed the man, who had reportedly followed her tuk-tuk, expose himself as he repeatedly pushed for her to have sex with him. The video dew millions of views and sparking an online debate about women’s safety and the risks faced by solo female travellers in Sri Lanka. After the video gained traction, Sri Lankan media assisted in identifying the suspect. Police launched a manhunt and arrested the individual and the case is now before court.
In a separate case, a 32-year-old resident of Mawathagama, Kurunegala, was arrested after a video circulating on social media showed a three-wheeler driver allegedly engaging in an indecent act while staring at a group of foreign tourists travelling in another vehicle. The Tourist Police launched an investigation following the circulation of the footage and apprehended the suspect on 17 November through the Kandy Unit of the division. Police said the man has previous court cases related to narcotics offences. The incident reportedly took place on 4 November along the Paragahadeniya–Mawathagama road.
The Tourist Police Division said further inquiries into both incidents are ongoing.