(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – The United States (US) Embassy in Colombo warned Thursday (29) its citizens visiting Sri Lanka to avoid travelling alone in tuk-tuks after a spate of sexual harassment complaints.
The Embassy, in a message posted on its website, advised women against hailing the brightly-coloured auto-rickshaws used widely to get around in Sri Lanka.
“The US Embassy Colombo has been made aware of an increase in incidents involving tuk-tuk drivers in the Colombo area inappropriately touching female passengers,” said the statement.
“Females should avoid travelling in tuk-tuks alone in Colombo.”
Many of the reported incidents occurred at the end of a ride, the Embassy said. Those opting to use tuk-tuks were requested to take photos of the driver and registration plate before boarding.
There are some 1.2 million auto-rickshaws in Sri Lanka, most used as taxis in a country where public transport is often unreliable and overcrowded.
Courtesy: Agence France-Presse (AFP)
