Israel’s national security council on Wednesday advised Israelis to evacuate certain tourist areas in Sri Lanka due to the possibility of a terrorist attack.
The council specifically warned against travel to Arugam Bay and beaches in the south and west of the country, citing “current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches”.
While the council did not disclose the exact nature of the threat, it urged Israelis in other parts of Sri Lanka to exercise caution and avoid large gatherings in public spaces.
“The Israeli security establishment … is in close contact with the security authorities in Sri Lanka and is following the developments,” the council stated.
The U.S. embassy in Sri Lanka also issued a security alert, stating it had received “credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area”.
“U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice,” the embassy added, without providing specific details.
also urged travellers to avoid the area or to leave it as soon as possible, citing “indications of possible attacks on tourist destinations”.
Police security has been heightened in the area, and officials are on high alert, police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said in a video statement released in Colombo.
“This area is a popular spot for surfing and this has attracted a large number of . We are working to ensure they remain safe,” Thalduwa said.
Sri Lanka, known for its pristine beaches, tea plantations, and historic temples, is witnessing a resurgence in tourism as the island nation recovers from a severe financial crisis.
In the first eight months of this year, 1.5 million tourists arrived in Sri Lanka, including a total of 20,515 from Israel, according to government data.