Sri Lankan authorities have deployed troops and increased police patrols around a Jewish community center in a popular surfing town, following a warning from the U.S. embassy about a potential attack on tourist hotspots in the area.
The enhanced security measures come after social media posts called for a boycott of Israeli-owned businesses in Arugam Bay, a town in eastern Sri Lanka known for its surf tourism.
Police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa confirmed that the focus of the threat is a location called ‘Chabad House,’ an Israeli-run community center. Thalduwa noted there had been recent tensions between Jewish tourists frequenting the center and the area’s Muslim-majority population.
In response, the army, navy, and police commandos have been mobilized to increase patrols and set up roadblocks around the town.
Growing Tensions and Security Concerns
Local protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon have gained support from various communities across Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist nation. These protests increased the tensions, especially in regions where Jewish tourists are in majority.
Although Israeli visitors make up a small percentage of Sri Lanka’s tourists—less than 1.5% of the 1.5 million tourists who visited the island in the first nine months of this year—Arugam Bay remains a popular destination for Israeli travelers.
In a rare alert, the U.S. embassy in Colombo issued a warning on Wednesday, advising that it had received “credible information” about a potential attack targeting popular tourist areas in Arugam Bay. The embassy imposed an immediate travel restriction on personnel, urging U.S. citizens to avoid the area.
Both Britain and Canada echoed the U.S. warning, while Russia’s embassy advised its nationals to avoid crowded places in Sri Lanka.
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Israel Raises Travel Alert
Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has increased the travel alert level for Sri Lanka, particularly for tourist-heavy coastal areas, due to the heightened terrorism threat. Israeli citizens in affected areas, including Arugam Bay, Galle, and Hikkaduwa, forced to leave or move to Colombo, where security is tighter.
The NSC also advised Israeli travelers to exercise caution and avoid displaying visible symbols of their nationality or religion.
Past Security Incidents in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has not experienced any major attacks since the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 279 people. The attacks, carried out by a local jihadist group aligned with ISIS, targeted churches and luxury hotels.
The country’s tourism sector, which suffered after the bombings and during the 2022 economic crisis, has been recovering. In response to the recent threats, Sri Lankan authorities have announced plans to protect tourists and resorts nationwide, including the launch of a dedicated security hotline for visitors to report any safety concerns
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