Sri Lanka Police have launched investigations to find out whether tourists, including Israelis, in Arugam Bay, are engaged in any activities, such as business or religion, while on tourist visas.
Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing held today, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said that there have been reports from the past of tourists engaging in business, religious and even illegal activities while on tourist visas.
He further said that as of now, all tourists, specifically Israelis, in the Arugam Bay area are on tourist visas.
The Cabinet Spokesman revealed that the Police have informed the public to report if any tourist is found to be engaging in any business, religious, or other illegal activities while on holiday.
Minister Vijitha Herath said that hotels have also been informed to notify if any tourists are engaged in any form of employment or business activities.
Responding to a question about whether the US Embassy’s warning to the Arugam Bay area was considered political interference, the Government Spokesman said that each country has the power to warn its citizens in the event of a possible threat.
Minister Vijitha Herath revealed that prior to issuing the travel advisory related to Arugam Bay, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka had informed him as well as the Sri Lankan security forces.
He added that as such, the government does not consider the current travel warning as political interference from foreign nations and that foreign countries are not required to ask for permission to issue a travel advisory.
The update comes as the US Embassy in Sri Lanka last week issued a travel advisory to its citizens, stating that it had received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.
Soon after several more countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia, also updated their travel advisory related to Sri Lanka.
The National Security Council of Israel had also called on Israelis to leave Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay area and other beaches in the island’s south and west immediately, citing terrorism threats. (Newswire)
