Recent weeks saw several incidents of Sri Lankans acting in a manner constituting sexual harassment against female foreign tourists. These concerns came to light after videos of locals harassing them went viral on social media. In one incident, a man was seen harassing a female tourist travelling in a three-wheeler in the Thirukkovil area. He was identified and arrested within days. In another, a man travelling in a different three-wheeler was filmed making inappropriate advances towards a foreign female tourist in another vehicle.

These clips spread rapidly, reaching not only local audiences but also the international community. As they circulated, both Sri Lankans and foreigners expressed mixed opinions. At the centre of the discussion is the question of how safe Sri Lanka is for female travellers, especially solo travellers. There were also concerns about whether these incidents show a broader pattern of how Sri Lankans treat female tourists or whether they are isolated acts by individuals who do not represent the country or its people. Two days ago, the foreign woman involved in the Thirukkovil incident took to social media to clarify her experience. She stressed that one man’s behaviour does not reflect the overall situation for female travellers in Sri Lanka, and stressed that she still considers the country a safe destination.

Still, we cannot ignore the damage that such incidents can cause. The unfortunate truth is that these stories have surfaced at a time when Sri Lanka has repeatedly been recognised internationally as a safe and desirable travel destination. Over the past few years, several travel publications, influencers and most importantly, solo female travellers, have praised Sri Lanka as safe and friendly. These endorsements have played an important role in rebuilding tourism after years of economic decline. This is why the recent incidents must be taken seriously.

The truth is, Sri Lanka cannot control every individual’s behaviour, and one person’s misconduct should not define an entire nation. However, while individual actions cannot be micromanaged, the Government has an obligation to mitigate the impact that such behaviour can have on the tourism sector and take steps to prevent similar incidents as much as possible. We have to understand that public perceptions, especially in the digital era that we live in, shift quickly, and even a single viral video can undo our efforts. If left unaddressed, these incidents risk creating an image that Sri Lanka is unsafe for women. It is therefore essential that Sri Lanka respond to this situation with both short-term and long-term strategies.

One crucial step is raising awareness. Behaviours and attitudes toward both local and foreign tourists must be taken seriously, because they speak directly to the hospitality culture that we take pride in. Not every Sri Lankan who engages in harassment views their actions as harmful. Some treat such conduct as harmless teasing. Others believe that foreign women dress or behave in ways that ‘invite’ attention. In this context, these attitudes, which are rooted in ignorance and misogyny, demand urgent and strict action. Awareness campaigns should target not only major tourist hubs but also smaller towns and rural areas that are seeing foreign visitors. Bodies like schools, community organisations, transport associations and local councils must be part of this process. Respecting personal boundaries, understanding consent and laws as well as recognising cultural differences should be a part of this process. These are everyday behaviours that influence travellers’ experience. Promoting such awareness is essential not only for the protection of foreign tourists but also for Sri Lankan women who face harassments on a daily basis.

In addition to awareness, law enforcement must play a visible and proactive role. Following the abovementioned incidents, the Police announced that officers in both uniform and civilian attire have been deployed to major tourist destinations. This is a positive first step as pre-emptive policing is crucial in this case. However, deployment alone is not enough. The country must send a clear message that harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict legal measures, swift arrests and appropriate punishments for harassers are necessary both as justice for victims and as a deterrence for potential offenders. When the consequences of harassing an individual become clear, that will have an impact on locals’ behaviours, while tourists who witness prompt action will feel reassured.

At the end of the day, Sri Lanka’s image as a safe tourist destination is a national asset that cannot be left vulnerable to the reckless behaviour of a few individuals. Protecting that reputation requires collective responsibility – a Government willing to act, communities willing to learn respect and law enforcement agencies willing to enforce the law.