News Today: Sri Lanka Police have taken action regarding threats to U.S. tourists in Arugam Bay.

Sri Lanka Police addressed the situation in Arugam Bay following the U.S. Embassy in Colombo’s travel advisory issued for American tourists. The Embassy had imposed travel restrictions on Arugam Bay after receiving intelligence of a potential attack targeting popular tourist destinations.

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa confirmed that reports had been received regarding threats to Israeli tourists in the area. Arugam Bay and Pothuvil have been major attractions for Israeli tourists, particularly due to the surfing events hosted there. An Israeli community has even established a dedicated building in Arugam Bay.

The Tourism Development Authority highlighted that out of the 1.48 million tourists who visited Sri Lanka this year, about 20,000, or 1.35%, were from Israel, making security in this region a priority.

To address the potential threats, Senior DIG of the Eastern Province has enforced preliminary security measures. Roadblocks, vehicle inspections, and special joint operations by the Police, Special Task Force (STF), and tri-forces are in place to prevent any possible incidents. DIG Thalduwa emphasized that when credible information regarding threats is received, immediate action is taken to ensure the safety of tourists and residents alike.

Tourists in the Arugam Bay area are urged to stay informed about the situation and adhere to any security guidelines issued by local authorities.