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.

Reflecting on the incident, Mols said it had shaken her more than she expected, denting her confidence as a solo female traveler. However, she emphasized that this was an isolated incident 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.