India’s intelligence leads to arrests in Sri Lanka over threats to Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay

Colombo: Sri Lankan police arrested three individuals on suspicion of plotting an attack against Israeli tourists at the eastern coastal surfing resort of Arugam Bay. The arrests followed a tip-off from Indian intelligence, according to authorities on Thursday.

Suspects and Interrogation
Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath stated that all three suspects arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division of the police are Sri Lankan nationals. They are currently being interrogated to determine if they had a concrete plan to carry out the attack targeting Israelis.

Earlier in the week, police had announced the arrest of two individuals as a result of Indian intelligence warnings of a potential attack occurring between October 19 and 23.

Travel Advisories Issued
On Wednesday, both the US embassy and the British High Commission in Colombo issued statements advising their citizens to avoid Arugam Bay, citing credible threats to tourists. They urged visitors to exercise caution until further notice.

In response to opposition criticism regarding the timing of public notifications, Herath explained, "We did not inform the public until the information could be verified." He added, "Some information has been revealed that there may be potential threats to the safety of the tourists who visited Sri Lanka."

Government Response
Herath assured the public that the government had swiftly acted to enhance security measures at all coastal areas and tourism sites after receiving intelligence. He confirmed that adequate safety protocols are in place for all tourists.

He noted that US Ambassador Julie Chung had communicated the travel advisory to the government concerning the security situation in Arugam Bay. In light of the threats, security has been bolstered in the region, and additional measures have been implemented along the southern coast and southeastern resort areas.

Community Reactions and Safety Measures
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Muslim minority groups have condemned the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon by holding continuous anti-Israel protests. Social media has seen posts calling for a boycott of Israeli businesses along the east coast.

The police have vowed to provide protection to all foreign nationals visiting Sri Lanka. Additionally, a hotline has been established for tourists to report any suspicious activities to the authorities. PTI