Former minister Kanchana Wijesekera has raised concerns over the incumbent government’s inaction despite it having received information by October 07th on potential threats to Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay area in Sri Lanka.
Taking to ‘X’, Kanchana Wijesekera questioned why the government had not briefed the overseas diplomatic missions on the steps taken concerning the information on the potential attacks.
“While the threat to national security should never be taken lightly, Tourism income is one of the most important revenue streams for the country,” Kanchana Wijesekera said.
He pointed out that if the government had had information beforehand and had briefed the diplomatic missions, then a travel advisory warning could have been prevented with the precautions taken.
“The government should at least now call a meeting with the diplomatic missions and the security officials, brief them on the steps taken and work with the foreign missions to remove the travel advisory on Sri Lanka,” the former minister added.
His comments come after the US Embassy in Sri Lanka 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.
As of now, two suspects have been arrested by officials from the Terrorism Investigations Division (TID), on suspicion over the alleged threats to Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay area in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)
According to the statement made by the Acting Chief of Police, the information on a possible attack was received by the GOSL on the 7th of October and was discussed at multiple security council meetings, investigated and precautions taken.
If the Government did have information…
— Kanchana Wijesekera (@kanchana_wij) October 24, 2024
