Tourist Police in Unawatuna on Tuesday (12) arrested a 38‑year‑old employee of an Ayurvedic massage centre over allegations of sexually abusing an Australian woman during treatment.

The suspect, employed as a massage therapist at the centre in the Unawatuna area, is accused of having sexually abused the tourist on May 6 while administering therapy. 

Following a complaint lodged with the Tourist Police Division yesterday, officers conducted an investigation and took the suspect into custody.

The arrested individual is scheduled to be produced before the Galle Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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A 64-year-old Hungarian national has been killed in a wild elephant attack in the Pidurangala area of Sigiriya.

The man was attacked while walking with his wife in the area. The tourist had been admitted to the Sigiriya Hospital following the incident but was pronounced dead on admission.

Further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has recorded 50,222 tourist arrivals so far in December, according to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Of that total, 10,453 visitors, about 21%, arrived from India. Other key source markets this month include Russia (5,420), Germany (4,822), the United Kingdom (3,823), and France (2,627).

The SLTDA also reported that total tourist arrivals for 2025 have reached 2,153,815.

India remains the top source market with 485,249 arrivals, followed by the United Kingdom (195,565), Russia (164,013), Germany (136,081), China (124,298), and France (103,307). (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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Two female Police Constables attached to the Prime Minister’s Security Division have taken measures to hand over a wallet that was lost on the Thimbirigasyaya road in Narahenpita to its owner, a foreign tourist.

According to the Police, female Police Constable Yamuna Dhammika Kumari Edirisinghe and Constable Samanmali from Police Division 12093 had found the lost purse on 23rd October. 

The owner of the lost purse, identified as Sabrina Cameron, a British national, was summoned to the Prime Minister’s Security Division, where she was handed over the purse by the Director of the division, Police Superintendent Sumithra de Silva.

The purse contained Rs. 6000 in cash, foreign currency equivalent to approximately Rs. 600,000 (Euros, US Dollars, British Pounds), as well as local and foreign credit cards, an international driver’s licence, a passport, and several other foreign documents. (Newswire) 

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Sri Lanka has reported 62,741 tourist arrivals in the first 12 days of October 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

SLTDA data shows that 38,475 tourists arrived from 1st to 7th October and 24,266 tourists arrived from 8th to 12th October.

The highest number of tourists during this period was from India, amounting to 18,299, followed by 5,417 from China, 4,874 from the UK, 3,804 from Germany, and 2,954 from Australia. 

Tourist arrivals have also been reported from Russia, Bangladesh, France, the USA, and Spain.

Sri Lanka has recorded a total of 1,788,235 tourist arrivals so far this year. 

Full SLTDA report; https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_12th_October_2025.pdf (Newswire)

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Two three-wheeler drivers have been arrested for defrauding two foreign tourists by charging excessive amounts for their travel during their holiday in Sri Lanka. 

According to the Police, two complaints have been filed with the Tourism Police, after which investigations were launched. 

The Police said a Brazilian tourist and a Belgian tourist had been charged Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 30,000 during their travels on 02nd and 05th October. 

The arrested three-wheeler drivers are aged 40 and 48 years, and are residents of Imbulgoda and Wellampitiya. 

The three-wheeler drivers have been handed over to the Cinnamon Gardens and Colpetty Police Stations for further investigations. (Newswire/ Image- file pic)

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A 28-year-old foreign tourist has been rescued from drowning while bathing in the seas off the coast of Mirissa. 

According to the Police, the woman had been caught in a strong current while swimming at Mirissa Beach last afternoon. 

However, she was rescued by a team of Police lifeguards who were on duty at the time. 

The rescued woman is a 28-year-old Austrian national. (Newswire)

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A 17-year-old Swiss national was rescued from drowning at Elephant Rock beach in Pottuvil on Monday (01 Sept).

According to the Police, the girl had been caught in a strong current while swimming.

However, she was rescued and pulled to safety by three officers from the Pottuvil Police Lifeguard Unit, and was unharmed after the rescue.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old man from Katana drowned while bathing in a stream at Sindrathriya, Moya-Katte in Wennappuwa yesterday.

The Police said the man, identified as a resident of Athgala, was swimming with friends when he was swept under water. 

The body has been recovered and sent to the Marawila Hospital morgue. (Newswire)

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A French tourist was rescued from drowning at the Medilla Sea in Tangalle last evening.

According to the Police, the female tourist had been swept away by a current while sea bathing.

She was, however, rescued by Police Lifeguard officers on duty at the beach.

The rescued tourist is a 22-year-old French national. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways has decided to issue temporary driver’s licences to foreign visitors at the Katunayake airport upon arrival, it is reported.

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Newswire that the ministry has decided to set up a dedicated counter at the Katunayake Airport for this purpose.

The ministry intends to officially launch the new procedure with effect from 03 August this year.

Per the existing regulations, foreign tourists are required to obtain a temporary driver’s licence from the Motor Traffic Department office in Werahera.

According to Minister Rathnayake, the new move aims to streamline the process and improve convenience for tourists. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka recorded 120,120 tourist arrivals from 01-28 May 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

India led the list with 42,899 visitors, accounting for 35.7% of total arrivals this month. 

The United Kingdom (8,382) and China (7,965) followed as the second and third top source markets. Germany, Bangladesh, and Australia were also among the leading contributors.

Compared to May 2024, this marks a 7.1% increase in arrivals, reflecting a steady post-pandemic tourism recovery. (Newswire)

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Two female foreign tourists have been hospitalised after being injured in a road accident near the Ashokaramaya Temple on the Haputale- Welimada Road. 

It is reported that a van they were travelling in had skidded off the road and crashed into a wall last evening.

The Australian tourists who were injured in the accident had been admitted to the Diyatalawa Base Hospital. 

The injured tourists are aged 80 and 76 years. (Newswire)

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A 29-year-old Russian national has been rescued from drowning in the Pannamgoda sea in Hikkaduwa last evening, the Police said.  

The woman had been swept away while bathing in the sea, after which she had been rescued by two officials of the Hikkaduwa Police Lifeguard Unit, who were on duty at the beach.  

The rescued woman is a 29-year-old Russian national. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police has announced new regulations for organizations providing three-wheelers for rentals to tourists, in a bid to minimize road accidents.

According to the Police, along with an increase in tourists driving three-wheelers in Sri Lanka, the rate of accidents involving such three-wheelers has also gone up. 

Inquiries into these incidents have found that the tourists do not possess the necessary training or licences to drive three-wheelers. 

As such, the Sri Lanka Police has announced that a tourist must carry either one of the following three documents when renting three-wheelers;

• A valid Sri Lankan driving licence
• A valid international licence accepted in Sri Lanka (which includes the three-wheeler category)
• A valid driving licence from their respective country  

Stating that some three-wheeler rental companies are utilising the lack of proper documents to earn money, the Sri Lanka Police warned that legal action will be initiated for the failure to adhere to the new regulations.

In the event a tourist is found to be driving a three-wheeler without the essential licences, the Police have been authorized to record a statement from the owner of the three-wheeler and thereafter, file a case against them.

The Police further said that providing a three-wheeler to a person without a valid licence is a punishable offence, for which a fine of Rs. 25,000 can be imposed. 

Companies providing three-wheelers on rentals to tourists have been urged to verify the necessary valid licences prior to renting out their vehicles. (Newswire)

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The Anuradhapura Police have helped locate and return the luggage of a foreign tourist that had been misplaced on a private bus.

The Police said the tourist had filed a complaint with the Anuradhapura Police Tourist Unit claiming to have forgotten to unload his luggage from a bus on Friday (14 Mar).

The tourist, travelling from Colombo-Fort to Anuradhapura, is said to have misplaced his luggage after forgetting to unload it while getting off at Anuradhapura Town. 

The Anuradhapura Police had conducted inquiries at the Fort Bus Depot during which it was found that the lost luggage was on a bus travelling to Vavuniya.

Officials from the Police Tourist Unit had collected the luggage and returned it to the tourist on Saturday (15 Mar). (Newswire)

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Three Police officers, including a Sergeant, from the Colpetty Police have been arrested for allegedly demanding Rs. 50,000 from an Austrian tourist for being in possession of foreign cigarettes.

According to the Police, the Sergeant and two Constables had demanded the money under the pretext of not taking legal action against the female tourist. 

The three Police officers had been engaged in traffic duties near the Colpetty Junction on Tuesday when they had inspected the three-wheeler in which the tourist was travelling.

Upon inspection, the Police officers found a packet of foreign cigarettes in the tourist’s possession and informed her that such cigarettes were illegal in Sri Lanka.

They had then solicited a bribe of Rs. 100,000 to refrain from taking action against the tourist. 

The Police said the officers had managed to take the cigarette packet and Rs. 50,000 from the tourist during the incident. (Newswire)

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An Iranian tourist has sustained injuries after getting knocked onto a utility pole near the Ohiya- Idalgashinna Railway Station while attempting to take a selfie on the Ella- Colombo tourist train.

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the 37-year-old female tourist had fallen off the train as a result and had been admitted to the Nuwara Eliya Hospital with serious injuries.

The Police said the woman who had travelled with a group of people to Nanu-Oya and was returning had met with the accident while attempting to take a selfie on the footboard of the train.

The injured tourist had been transported in the same train to Nanu-Oya from where she was transported in an ambulance to the hospital. (Newswire)

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A man has been arrested for having stolen a bag containing valuables worth US$ 20,000 from a female British tourist at the Bastian Mawatha bus depot in Colombo-Fort. 

According to the Police, the suspect, who had acted as a tour guide, was arrested in the Pethiyagoda area in Kelaniya today.

The Police have recovered the stolen valuables, which included a laptop, camera, bank cards, and passport of the tourist.

Investigations reveal that the tourist had arrived in Sri Lanka to make a video on the country and was preparing to leave for Ella from Bastian Mawatha when her bag was stolen. 

According to Lankadeepa newspaper, the suspect was identified and arrested via footage from a dashcam installed on a bus. (Newswire)

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A 57-year-old foreign tourist was reported dead after drowning off the coast of Hikkaduwa on Friday (Apr 05).

The Police said the victim, a Lithuanian national, had drowned while sea bathing last evening.

Upon being rescued by lifeguards at the beach, the man had died after being admitted to the Balapitiya Hospital. (Newswire)

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