Sri Lankan Muslims stage activists hold Palestinian national flags, protesting against Israel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 31, 2023 (Photo: Akila Jayawardena/NurPhoto
The National Security Council on Wednesday afternoon issued a severe warning to Israelis visiting Sri Lanka, urging them to leave Arugam Bay and coastal areas in the south and west of the island immediately, in light of “up-to-date information about a terrorist threat focusing on tourist areas and beaches.”
“Those leaving these areas are advised to leave the country or at least to the capital Colombo, where there is a high presence of local security forces,” the Israeli NSC said.
Sri Lanka’s police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa announced increased alerts at popular surfing sites in the Arugam Bay region.
“This area is a popular spot for surfing and this has attracted a large number of Israeli tourists. We are working to ensure they remain safe,” Thalduwa said.
Thalduwa said police had taken actions to boost security in recent days, setting up roadblocks and checking motorcyclists. He also said police would reinforce the areas to protect tourists.
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka also issued a security alert to U.S. citizens saying it had received “credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.”
“U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice,” the statement read.
According to Israeli media, information about plans for an attack against Israelis in Sri Lanka came as part of the cooperation between the Mossad and the Counterterrorism Headquarters with local intelligence and security officials. Security sources noted that the level of warning for the attack is similar to that in Turkey in June 2022, when Iranian terrorist squads attempted an attack on Israelis in Istanbul and other parts of the country.
“We have intelligence about terrorist squads roaming the Sri Lankan coastal area and targeting Israelis is part of their focus. According to our intelligence, an attack may be carried out against Israelis in Sri Lankan tourist areas in the immediate future,” stated a security source, quoted by Maariv.
The Mossad has seen “an enormous expansion in the level of threats and intentions to attack Israelis around the world” since the outbreak of the war in October last year – which has led to an increased deployment of Mossad agents across the globe.
According to Ynet News, Israelis in Sri Lanka reported a significant police presence near restaurants and areas frequented by Israelis, particularly at the Chabad House in Arugam Bay. They also reported that the police had closed off entire streets in the area.
The Israeli defense establishment estimated that there are several hundred Israelis on the island.
“We are not calling for an immediate airlift,” an official said. “What we’re trying to do is reduce the potential threat to those on the beaches – get people out of there and get to Colombo or other cities depending on availability, and in any case not to stay on the beaches. Anyone who can comfortably book a flight and end their vacation is welcome to do so, but there is no airlift at the moment.”
The NSC said the alert is for the Arugam Bay area and beaches in the south and west of the country (including the cities of Ahangama, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Weligama). The threat level has been raised to 4.
Israelis are advised to leave those areas immediately and Israelis planning to travel to Sri Lanka were advised to postpone their travel unless it is essential.
