Topless Tantrum Turns Arugam Bay Upside Down

In what may go down as the beachside drama of the season, a 26-year-old Thai tourist has earned herself a five-year-long spot on Sri Lanka’s “behave yourself” list — after turning Arugam Bay into an accidental reality show.

Local eyes widened (and phones quickly emerged) when the woman was spotted strutting topless near the entrance of a hotel in the ever-chilled-out surf haven. The photo, of course, hit social media faster than sunscreen hits shoulders — and soon, police were knocking.

The woman was promptly arrested, and no, it wasn’t for a fashion crime — she was charged with indecent behaviour and causing a public disturbance. In court today (July 15), she pled guilty, telling the Pottuvil Magistrate what many tourists have said in Arugam Bay before: “It all started with a fight with my partner.”

(Spoiler alert: Not all of them walk away topless.)

The judge, perhaps after a strong cup of Ceylon tea, gave her a gentle but firm sentence: two weeks for indecency and one month for public disturbance, both suspended for five years. Translation: behave, or next time it’s not just the sun giving you burns.

While the beaches of Arugam Bay are no stranger to wild waves and wilder nights, this topless tale has sparked some serious talk — and more than a few WhatsApp forwards.

No word yet on the partner involved, or if they were clothed at the time of the incident.