An external investigation ordered by Parliament has concluded that no sexual harassment occurred involving a female employee of the Department of Information Systems and Management, according to a statement issued by the Parliamentary administration.

The final report, prepared by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, was submitted to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on November 24. The inquiry was initiated following a claim raised in the Chamber by MP Mujibur Rahman on January 7, 2025, alleging that the employee had been subjected to sexual harassment.

An initial internal inquiry was conducted by Parliament, but the complainant expressed dissatisfaction with its findings. As a result, the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee decided on July 25, 2025 to proceed with an independent external investigation.

Ms. Alahapperuma subsequently summoned all relevant parties, examined available evidence and reviewed information related to the incident before compiling the final report.

According to the conclusions presented to the Speaker, the investigation found no evidence to support the allegation, and determined that no sexual harassment had occurred in relation to the complainant. The report further stated that no incidents of sexual harassment were identified involving any other female officers within the same division. (Newswire)

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A 24-year-old New Zealand woman whose video on sexual harassment in Sri Lanka went viral has stressed that the incident does not reflect the safety of the country or its people, praising Sri Lankans and law enforcement for their swift response.

The solo traveller said she received overwhelming support from locals during her stay and described Sri Lanka as “an amazing country to travel”, adding that she would continue to recommend it to other women travelling alone. She noted that one individual’s behaviour should not define an entire destination.

“One incident does not define a country, and it doesn’t define solo female travel. Sri Lanka is an incredible country,” the traveller said, adding that she is happy the incident has started a conversation on women’s safety.

Her original video, which documented a man exposing himself while following her in a tuk-tuk, drew millions of views and triggered a wide internet debate on women’s safety and solo female travel. She said it was frustrating that the conversation had shifted into victim-blaming, but acknowledged that such incidents can occur anywhere in the world.

Following the video’s circulation, Sri Lankan media helped identify the suspect and police immediately launched a manhunt. Officers traced and arrested the individual within four days, with the matter currently before court. The traveller thanked the Sri Lankan police for what she described as an “incredible” and proactive response.

She said her experience in the country was overwhelmingly positive apart from the single incident, and that she encountered kindness, generosity, and assistance from locals throughout her journey.

She added that while global conversations on women’s safety remain important, isolated cases should not overshadow the reality that Sri Lanka remains a welcoming destination for travellers. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan passenger who was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a flight attendant on an Emirates Airline flight bound for Katunayake Airport was released on bail this week (02 June).

According to reports, the suspect was taken into custody upon arrival at Katunayake Airport on 29th May 2025, after being accused of sexually harassing a 39-year-old South African flight attendant during the flight from Dubai.

Police identified the suspect as a 49-year-old ship captain residing in the Jaffna area. It was further revealed that he was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident.

The flight attendant had promptly informed the pilot of the incident, leading to the suspect’s arrest by the police with the assistance of airport security upon landing.

Following his arrest, the suspect was examined by the Negombo Judicial Medical Officer, who confirmed that he was under the influence of alcohol.

He was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on 29th May 2025 and was remanded until 2nd June 2025.

Attorneys-at-Law Atham Lebbe Aazath and Wazeem Amhar appeared on behalf of the suspect. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan passenger has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing an air hostess of an Emirates Airline flight bound to the Katunayake Airport. 

It is reported that the man, who had sexually harassed a 39-year-old South African woman, was arrested upon arrival at the Katunayake Airport.

The Police said the 49-year-old man, who works as a ship captain, is a resident of the Jaffna area.

The suspect had been heavily intoxicated and had sexually harassed the flight attendant onboard the flight travelling from Dubai to the Katunayake Airport yesterday. 

The flight attendant had proceeded to immediately inform the pilot, after which the passenger was arrested by the police with the assistance of airport security officers upon arrival at the Katunayake Airport. 

After this passenger was presented to the Negombo Forensic Medical Examiner, it was confirmed that he was drunk.

The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today. (Newswire)

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A lawyer from Chilaw has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for allegedly sending sexually harassing text messages to a female High Court judge via Facebook Messenger.

According to the Police, the suspect lawyer has sent messages through Messenger that were deemed uncomfortable for the High Court judge.

The 62-year-old lawyer was arrested yesterday (21 May) on the instructions of the Attorney General, after which he was due to be produced in court.

Providing details on the incident, Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said the lawyer had sent various types of messages to the High Court Judge through social media. 

He further said that following the High Court Judge’s complaint, an investigation was initiated by recording the suspect’s statements.

“We sent the investigation file to the Attorney General, who instructed us to take further action against the suspect under Section 345 of the Penal Code, on charges of Sexual Harassment. The suspect was arrested based on this,” the Police Spokesman said. (Newswire)

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A Swedish national has been fined Rs. 26,500 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to attempting to sexually harass a flight attendant during a flight.

The order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela.

When the case was taken up today, President’s Counsel Priyantha Nawana, appearing on behalf of the accused, told the court that his client regrets the incident and is remorseful. He further stated that the accused was under the influence of alcohol at the time and had no criminal intent.

Considering the submissions, the Magistrate imposed a fine of Rs. 26,500. The court also ordered a one-month suspended jail term if the fine is not paid.

The suspect was arrested by airport police and produced before the court. (Newswire)

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Three employees of Parliament who were found guilty of sexually assaulting female Parliamentary staff have been dismissed, according to a Parliament statement.

Action on the matter was taken following an investigative process which confirmed the guilt of these employees. Subsequently, based on the recommendation of the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne approved their dismissal recently (Jan 09).

Following reports published in newspapers on July 30th and August 2nd, 2023, regarding incidents of sexual harassment against Parliamentary staff during the years 2021 and 2022, an internal tri-member investigative committee was appointed on August 4th, 2023. 

This committee was established under the directives of the former Speaker and was headed by the then Director of Administration, as appointed by the Secretary-General of Parliament.

During the investigations conducted by this committee, two parliamentary employees were suspended from service. The committee’s report was submitted to the Secretary-General of Parliament on August 23, 2023. Subsequently, for further guidance, the report was referred to the Attorney General.

Based on the Attorney General’s recommendations, the investigation was handed over to the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women under the directive of the Inspector General of Police. 

Meanwhile, police investigations led to the arrest of another parliamentary employee. This employee was also suspended from service on January 30, 2024.

Accordingly, following the filing of charges, the accused officials requested a formal investigation. In response, a legal disciplinary inquiry was conducted in accordance with procedural regulations. For this purpose, retired High Court Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, was appointed to lead the inquiry.

The final report of this disciplinary inquiry was submitted to the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, on December 23rd, 2024. 

Based on the said report, a recommendation was made to the Speaker to dismiss the three employees with effect from the dates of suspension. Acting on this recommendation, the Speaker approved the dismissal, and the employees have now been officially removed from service. (Newswire)

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Three Parliament staff members have been suspended from service over allegations of sexual harassment.

According to NewsFirst, the suspended Parliament staff members included the assistant housekeeper of the Department of Catering and Housekeeping of Parliament.

The Parliamentary Administration has said the suspension was implemented based on the recommendations of a committee appointed to investigate the incident. 

Sexual assault allegations were reported in August 2023. 

An internal investigation was conducted by a committee led by former High Court judge Kusala Sarojani Weerawardena, which thoroughly examined the claims. 

The committee’s inquiry focused on the nature of the complaints and the evidence surrounding the incident, with the final recommendations leading to the suspension of the accused staff members. (Newswire)

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Four suspects, including two military personnel, have been arrested on charges of having sexually harassed women in incidents reported in separate areas.

A 35-year-old Army deserter has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a female journalist in the Maththegoda area. According to the Maththegoda Police, the suspect had been inside a parked three-wheeler and had inappropriately touched the woman while she had walked passed the vehicle. 

He had, however, abandoned the three-wheeler and hidden after the woman had screamed out catching the attention of the people in the area, but had been captured by them. Upon being questioned the suspect had claimed he had run out of fuel and had tried to escape, but was prevented and handed over to the Police. 

Investigations reveal that the man who had initially been deployed at the Killinochchi Army Camp had abandoned the military after applying for three-month leave and had been employed as a three-wheeler driver at a taxi- -rental company. The suspect is due to be produced before the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court. 

Meanwhile, an Army Sergeant has been arrested for having recorded a video of the bare legs of a female university student on a train heading to Polgahawela. 

The Mirigama Police said the woman had been on the train plying from Colombo to Polgahawela when the suspect had arrived on a train travelling in the opposite direction, both stopping at the Mirigama Station. The suspect who was on the footboard of the train had secretly videoed the bare legs of the woman, which had been noticed by fellow passengers who had informed the victim.

The passengers had then captured the man and handed him over to the Mirigama Station Master, after which the Mirigama Police had been informed, during which time the suspect had left his mobile phone and fled. 

Upon inspecting the mobile phone, the Police visited the residence of the suspect, during which the suspect’s wife informed that he had reported for duty at the Pelawatte Army Camp. The camp had been informed after which the suspect was produced before the Mirigama Police during which he was arrested.  The suspect is to be produced for an identification parade at the Attanagalle Magistrate’s Court, while the Mirigama Police is conducting investigations. 

Also, two youths have been arrested for having videoed and shared on social media the bare legs of a female Police officer while on duty at the Chilaw Police Station. 

It is reported that the suspects had reported to the minor offences unit to resolve a case, during which they had videoed the bare legs of the Police Officer who was handling their case. The suspects had been arrested after the female Police Officer had filed a case against them over the incident. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved amendments to the Penal Code criminalizing all forms of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

The draft Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has received clearance of Attorney General, the Government said.

Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to publish the draft Bill in the Government Gazette was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Bill will then be presented in Parliament for approval, the Government said. (Newswire)

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A man has been arrested for sexually harassing a female Police Constable who was on undercover duty on a public transport bus. 

The officer had been onboard as part of the ongoing Police operation aimed at preventing the sexual harassment of women and children in public transport.

The suspect, a 44-year-old private security officer from Welimada, was arrested and produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s.

The suspect has been remanded until February 22, 2024, after being produced in court.

The special operation to prevent sexual harassment of women and children on public transportation was launched earlier this month. 

The public who face sexual harassment on public transport have been urged to inform the police via the hotline ‘109’. (NewsWire)

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Forty-two (42) suspects have been arrested during the special operation launched by the Police on public transportation to tackle crimes and harassment.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon said among the suspects, 18 were arrested for sexual harassment.

Acting IGP Tennakoon further said that five suspects were arrested on charges of pickpocketing. 

The suspects were arrested by Police officers in civil attire who had been deployed in crowded areas and places of public transportation, including on buses. 

The special operation to tackle crimes and harassment on public transportation was launched islandwide yesterday. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka Police has launched a special islandwide programme from today to tackle harassment against children and women on public transportation. 

The Police Headquarters said that the measures have been taken on the orders of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, due to complaints of sexual harassment of women and children received by the Police daily. 

Accordingly, Police in civil attire will be deployed on public transportation during peak hours, 08.00 am – 10.00 am and 05.00 pm – 07.00 pm, during which the movement of people is high. 

The officers in civil attire will be deployed on buses, at bus depots, railway stations, and areas with large crowds during this period. 

Police officers in uniform have also been stationed on the roads, largely covering main roads, to provide necessary support for the officers in civil attire. (NewsWire)

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In a shocking development, three junior staff members of Parliament were arrested today by the Police Child and Women’s Bureau on charges of allegedly abusing two female colleagues.

The arrests come amidst heightened scrutiny and growing concern over workplace harassment in Sri Lanka.

Details of the alleged abuse remain unclear, with investigations ongoing. 

However, reports suggest the incidents might have taken place within the Parliament complex itself. 

The arrested individuals, all junior staffers, have not yet been publicly identified. (NewsWire)

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A 19-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly having sexually harassed a Ukrainian female tourist at a Buddhist temple in Habaraduwa, it was reported. 

According to Lankadeepa, the suspect is a resident of Unawatuna and had allegedly sexually harassed the woman on Wednesday (21).

The Police stated that the tourist who resides at a hotel in Unawatuna regularly visits the Buddhist temple in Habaraduwa.

Investigations have revealed that the suspect had approached the woman who was worshipping the Bodhi Tree and had invited her to worship another part of the temple. 

The woman who had worshipped the said area at the invitation of the suspect had been sexually harassed by him while exiting the place.

The suspect is reported to have fled the area after the incident. The Police have launched an inquiry into the matter. (NewsWire)

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The Chairman of the state-owned Independent Television Network (ITN) has ordered a probe into the allegations of sexual harassment at the workplace raised by a former female employee recently.

Senior ITN news presenter Ishara Dewendra resigned last week (21) over alleged sexual harassment in the workplace. 

The resigned news anchor had made allegations of being sexually harassed by a senior official at the workplace.

“Despite informing the authorities about the harassment I faced, no action was taken,” she further revealed via a statement on her personal Facebook page. 

Commenting on the matter, the Chairman of ITN Sudarshana Gunawardana that instructions have been given to the General Manager of ITN to immediately launch an investigation into the matter according to the accepted practice of ITN.

He further stated the ITN Management is in the process of selecting an ‘external inquiry officer’ to conduct the probe.

This is the latest workplace sexual harassment to be raised by a female employee in Sri Lanka.

Allegations of sexual harassment of women, especially female journalists at workplaces, emerged during the ‘MeToo’ global movement in 2013.

Several female journalists highlighted the issue in Sri Lanka, which prompted the then government to order an investigation into sexual harassment in the media. (NewsWire)

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The principal of a private school in Minuwangoda has been arrested for forcibly embracing a female teacher under the guise of extending New Year wishes.

According to Hiru News, the principal is a 61-year-old resident of Kadawatha and a father of two.

The man was arrested following a complaint filed by the 23-year-old female who is an English teacher at the school.

The Police stated that in her complaint the teacher said that she had completed her tasks for the day and was ready to leave the school when the suspect had forcibly embraced her extending his wishes for the New Year. (NewsWire)

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Two individuals have been arrested on charges of having sexually harassed three female employees of an Insurance company in Puttalam. 

The Police stated that the suspects aged 33 and 45 years, are the General manager and another male employee of the company, and are residents of Puttalam.

They were arrested by the Police Children & Women Bureau of the Puttalam Division following an investigation launched into a complaint filed in this regard. 

The suspects who were arrested yesterday and produced before the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court have been released on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

The Police Children & Women Bureau of the Puttalam Division is conducting investigations into the matter. (NewsWire)

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