What happened to the New Zealand solo traveler in Sri Lanka?

A local man approached the New Zealand solo traveler, Mols, while she was driving a rented tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, asked her for sex, and then exposed himself, leaving her shaken and embarrassed.

How did the Sri Lankan authorities respond to the incident involving Mols?

Police were able to locate and arrest the man, believed to be in his early twenties, who had tried to evade arrest by changing his appearance and moving between locations.

What was Mols' overall impression of Sri Lanka as a solo female traveler?

Mols emphasized that the incident was an isolated one and not a reflection of Sri Lanka, as the local people she had encountered were "some of the kindest and most generous" she had ever met.

Home / Crime and Justice / Solo Traveler Assaulted by Local in Sri Lanka

Solo Traveler Assaulted by Local in Sri Lanka

18 Nov, 2025

•

Summary

New Zealand woman sexually harassed by local man in Sri Lanka
Incident occurred while she was driving a rented tuk-tuk along the coast
Man exposed himself and asked for sex before she could react

Solo Traveler Assaulted by Local in Sri Lanka

On 2025-11-18T10:23:17+00:00, a solo traveler from New Zealand, known as Mols, encountered a deeply disturbing incident while driving a rented tuk-tuk across Sri Lanka's coastal route between Arugam Bay and Pasikuda.

Mols had pulled over briefly to rest and have a drink when a man on a scooter approached her. Despite a language barrier, the man seemed friendly at first and engaged Mols in conversation. However, the situation quickly turned uncomfortable when the man asked Mols to have sex with him. Before she could react, the man exposed himself, leaving Mols shaken and embarrassed.

Immediately, Mols left the scene and continued driving until she felt safe enough to stop elsewhere. The man, believed to be in his early twenties, reportedly tried to evade arrest by changing his appearance and moving between locations, but police were able to locate and apprehend him for questioning.