By Rathindra Kuruwita
Three Sri Lankans had been arrested following intelligence reports indicating security threats to Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka, Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said during a press conference in Colombo on Thursday.
Herath stated that due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Sri Lankan government felt the need to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of tourists visiting the country. He said that since Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected president one month back, the National Security Council (NSC) had met several times. During the second NSC meeting, intelligence agencies had reported a potential threat to Israeli tourists, prompting swift government action to protect both tourists and locals, Minister Herath said, adding that in response, the police, Special Task Force (STF), and the tri-forces had been deployed in certain areas.
“Special police security has been in place since the beginning of the month at popular tourist locations such as Arugam Bay, Ella, and Weligama. Police and intelligence agencies have arrested three individuals, who are currently being interrogated,” Herath said.
The minister also said that foreign intelligence agencies had warned of a potential threat on Tuesday. On the same day, senior government and security officials had met and further strengthened security at tourist hotspots. The NSC had met again on Wednesday morning to assess the situation, Herath said.
“October marks one year since the latest round of conflict in the Middle East. This is also a time when Israelis celebrate certain religious festivals. We received information that they could be targeted during religious gatherings in various locations in the country,” Herath said.
Minister Herath assured the public, both local and foreign, that there was no reason to fear potential attacks on Israelis or others, as all necessary security measures had been adopted. Herath expressed confidence that the travel advisories issued by countries such as the United States would soon be withdrawn, following discussions with foreign diplomats. “These nations are satisfied with the measures we have implemented, and they have confidence in sending their citizens to Sri Lanka for tourism,” Herath said.
The minister said that tourists should not be concerned about visiting Sri Lanka, because everything was in place to ensure their safety. He urged the public not to believe in false reports and rumours.
Herath also addressed reports claiming that Sri Lanka had been warned by Indian intelligence agencies about the attacks; he dismissed them as false. He criticised media outlets that had published reports to that effect. “These reports are not true, and we urge the media to act responsibly and avoid spreading misinformation,” he said.
Herath said that the three suspects had been arrested based on suspicion and had not been found in possession of explosives or firearms. He stressed that the security agencies needed more time to investigate and assess the situation. “We are still trying to find out whether the information about an attack on Israelis is accurate or not,” he said.
Police spokesperson DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that two of the suspects were residents of Colombo and Jaffna, while the third, a resident of Mawanella, had been arrested near the Israeli Consular Office in Dehiwala.
On Wednesday, the Sri Lankan police announced enhanced security measures to protect both tourists and locals, following a warning from the U.S. embassy about potential attacks in Arugam Bay. Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka were advised to contact DIG Damayantha Wijaya Sri of the Police Marine & Tourist Range on 0718592651 in case of an emergency.
In response to the threats, the police have introduced a dedicated hotline, “1997”, for tourists to report any security concerns. They also highlighted that a record number of tourists are expected to visit Sri Lanka in the coming months, and the government is fully committed to ensuring their safety.
Given the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Eastern Europe, a special security programme will be implemented in collaboration with intelligence services to safeguard visitors. The Sri Lanka Tourist Police will be further strengthened, with Acting IGP Weerasooriya instructing all police stations to prioritise tourist safety.
Tourism is one of Sri Lanka’s primary sources of foreign revenue, with the country expecting to attract 2.3 million tourists this year and 3 million by 2025.
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