Sri Lankan authorities have ramped up security efforts in the popular surfing town of Arugam Bay following warnings from the U.S. and Israeli governments about potential terror attacks targeting Israeli tourists. On Thursday, police arrested three suspects under suspicion of planning attacks on popular tourist sites frequented by Israelis. This follows an earlier U.S. embassy alert, which warned American citizens of a credible threat in the region.
The suspects, one of whom had ties to Iraq, were detained by Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division. Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa confirmed that intelligence, reportedly shared by neighboring India, pointed to the possibility of an attack on the Chabad House, a Jewish community center in Arugam Bay. This facility has been a focal point for Jewish visitors, and tensions had recently been reported between the Jewish tourists and the local Muslim population. Sri Lankan forces, including the army, navy, and police commandos, have since increased patrols, set up roadblocks, and enhanced security at key locations.
The Israeli government’s National Security Council (NSC) had issued a Level 4 travel alert on Tuesday, urging all Israeli tourists to leave the area immediately due to the heightened risk of terrorism. The NSC’s alert extended to other coastal areas in southern and western Sri Lanka, advising citizens to avoid public gatherings and to refrain from wearing identifiable Israeli symbols. The security warning remains in effect.
U.S. and Israeli concerns were further echoed by other countries, including the U.K., Canada, and Russia, all of which advised their citizens to avoid crowded tourist sites in Sri Lanka. The warnings follow rising tensions in the region due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has sparked protests in Sri Lanka’s predominantly Buddhist population, many of whom have expressed support for the Palestinian cause.
Sri Lankan authorities continue their investigation into the suspected terror plot, and security forces remain on high alert to prevent any potential attacks on the island’s tourist destinations.
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