The US embassy in Sri Lanka issued a warning on Wednesday regarding a potential attack on Arugam Bay, a renowned surfing destination on the island’s eastern coast. This alert prompted Sri Lankan authorities to enhance security measures for tourists.
In a statement highlighting an imminent threat, the embassy noted it had received “credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations.” In response, police and intelligence agencies have collaborated to formulate a strategy aimed at safeguarding both tourists and local resorts.
This warning follows social media calls to boycott Israeli-owned businesses in the area, coinciding with protests by local Muslim groups opposing Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. These protests have garnered support from various segments of the predominantly Buddhist community in Sri Lanka.
In light of the embassy’s warning, police have announced a new security initiative designed to protect tourists, although specifics remain undisclosed. Authorities have established a dedicated hotline for tourists to report any safety concerns, ensuring a prompt response to any threats.
While Israeli tourists represent less than 1.5% of the 1.5 million visitors to Sri Lanka in the first nine months of this year, approximately 20,000 in total, Arugam Bay remains a particularly favoured destination for Israeli visitors.
Since the devastating Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, which claimed the lives of 279 people, including 45 foreign nationals, Sri Lanka has not experienced similar violence. Those coordinated assaults targeted three luxury hotels and three churches, perpetrated by a local extremist group linked to the Islamic State.
Tourism has gradually recovered in Sri Lanka following a significant decline due to these attacks and a severe economic crisis in 2022, which resulted in widespread civil unrest. Following an International Monetary Fund bailout last year, the tourism sector has seen an uptick in visitor numbers.