Israel building in Arugam Bay : Police reveal more details on threat

October 23, 2024 at 11:47 AM

The surge in Israeli tourists and the occupation of a building in the Arugam Bay area has prompted the US Embassy in Colombo to issue a travel advisory on potential threats to its citizens visiting the area, Sri Lanka Police said today. 

Addressing the media today, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that Arugam Bay and Pottuvil have been identified as the most preferred holiday destinations in Sri Lanka for Israeli tourists, due to activities such as surfing.

“Due to their interest in surfing a lot of Israeli tourists have visited Arugam Bay and as a result have also occupied a building in the area. As the area is currently highly populated with Israeli tourists, we had received information in the recent past on possible threats to them,” he said. 

The Police Spokesman said as preliminary measures the Police had already set up roadblocks and had also conducted routine inspections of vehicles and the public. 

DIG Thalduwa confirmed that special security measures are currently in place in Arugam Bay, with the involvement of the Police, Special Task Force (STF), Navy, Army, and State Intelligence Services (SIS). 

The Police Spokesman said keeping this in mind, the Police have taken measures to ensure the safety of all tourists visiting Sri Lanka in the upcoming holiday season. 

His clarification comes after the US Embassy in Sri Lanka issued a travel advisory stating that it has received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.

Meanwhile, social activist Ruki Fernando highlighted last week the establishment of a ‘Synagogue’ by Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay area. 

Taking to “X”, Fernando said that there were reports of several Hebrew posts, shops, and restaurants with signboards in Hebrew popping up in Arugam Bay last week.

He further said that according to sources from the area, Police presence at the “Synagogue” and STF presence on the main road was to ensure no attacks on Israelis by those who may be hostile towards them due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.  

Sharing pictures of the Synagogue, the social activist said it was a building with fans, tin and sheet roof, with no walls or doors and was located in a small lane adjacent to a mosque. 

He further said that two policemen were inside the building and one on a watch tower, adding that locals worried about Palestine seemed unhappy about the Israeli presence in the area. (Newswire)