Govt tightens tourist safety measures as peak season begins

Police instructed to crack down on tourist harassment, illegal tuk-tuk driving

As Sri Lanka enters its peak tourism season, the government has issued strict directives to police and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of foreign visitors, the Daily Mirror learns. The move comes as the country anticipates over two million tourist arrivals by the end of 2025, 

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe told the Daily Mirror that Tourism Police Units nationwide have been instructed to intensify surveillance, strengthen patrols in tourist hotspots, and act swiftly against any form of harassment targeting visitors.

The renewed push for enhanced safety comes in the wake of several troubling incidents involving foreign tourists facing sexual harassment.

One such case occurred in Arugam Bay on October 25, where a video went viral showing a foreign woman being sexually harassed by a Sri Lankan man. The tourist, who was travelling in a rented tuk-tuk, had stopped her vehicle when the man approached, exposed himself, and attempted to harass her. She had been filming her journey and inadvertently recorded the entire encounter.

“Sri Lanka is such a beautiful place with kind people, and then something like this happens. Now I’m gonna be on edge for the rest of my trip,” she said in the video.

Police launched an investigation and requested public assistance in identifying the suspect.

A second case involving a New Zealand tourist was reported from Thirukkovil, and Deputy Minister Ranasinghe said that suspects in both incidents would be arrested within days.

He said that such behaviour poses a serious threat to the country’s international image.

With December to April marking the main peak season for visitors to the southwest and hill country, the Deputy Minister said that tourism police have been instructed to maintain heightened visibility in beaches, nightlife zones, transport hubs, cultural sites, and popular adventure travel locations.

Deputy Minister Ranasinghe said that the government will take strict action against both harassment of tourists and illegal activities involving foreign visitors or locals.

“We will not tolerate any act that threatens the safety of tourists or the integrity of our tourism industry. Our priority is to ensure every visitor feels safe and respected,” he said.

Meanwhile, authorities have also raised concern over a sharp increase in foreigners driving three-wheelers (tuk-tuks), which has been linked to a rise in fatal and non-fatal road accidents in recent months.

Investigations have revealed that many foreigners involved in these accidents did not possess the necessary licenses to legally drive such vehicles in Sri Lanka. Police said a lack of proper training and unfamiliarity with local road conditions were major contributors to these incidents.

Police Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler said that foreign nationals must have valid and legally recognized driving permits to operate any vehicle in the country.

Wootler issued a strong warning about the growing trend of tourists renting and driving trishaws without proper permits.

“We have witnessed tourists using trishaws, which is totally illegal. We have also taken legal action against the owners of these trishaws,” he said, adding that police are now closely monitoring rental outlets facilitating such violations.

The tourism sector continues to grow, despite the incidents reported recently.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reported that tourism earnings reached USD 2,659 million in the first ten months of 2025—a 4.9% increase from the same period last year.Sri Lanka recorded USD 186.1 million in tourism revenue in October alone.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said 1,972,957 tourist arrivals from January to 12 November 2025. India, the UK, and Russia remained the top source markets, while arrivals from November 1–12 numbered 82,270, signalling strong momentum ahead of the festive season.