Sri Lankan authorities arrested three individuals on Thursday, suspected of planning an attack on Israeli tourists following a warning issued by the United States regarding a potential threat to popular tourist areas. Public Security and Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed the arrests, noting that further details could not be disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
The arrests come just a day after increased security measures were implemented across Sri Lanka, including heightened police presence and military deployments in key tourist zones like Arugam Bay, a popular surfing destination in the east. Intelligence from a foreign source alerted officials to a potential threat targeting locations frequented by Israeli travelers.
Minister Herath emphasized that while specifics remain unclear, authorities are monitoring for possible disturbances at sites where Israeli nationals gather for religious purposes. Currently, 575 Israeli citizens are reported to be in Sri Lanka.
Following the intelligence alert, Israel’s National Security Council urged Israeli travelers in southern Sri Lanka to leave immediately and advised against large gatherings in public areas. Similarly, the US Embassy issued a security alert advising American citizens to avoid Arugam Bay, while Germany’s Foreign Ministry also encouraged tourists to avoid the area or depart as soon as possible.
To ensure safety, police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa stated that Sri Lanka has boosted security with roadblocks, vehicle checks, and patrols to safeguard tourists visiting the country during the year-end season.