Growing Israeli presence puts SL in a spot

-US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Russia issue advisories on Arugam Bay

-Israel issues travel warning to its citizens in SL over terrorism threat

Colombo, October 24 (Daily Mirror) - Growing Israeli presence in the Southern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka has put Sri Lanka in a spotlight with local intelligence agencies being informed of a possible threat from Islamic extremists several weeks ago, senior defense sources told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Last year, several local nationals from Weligama, Mirissa and Arugam Bay had been voicing concerns over Israeli nationals settling in those areas, overstaying their visas and running unlawful businesses. In an on the ground investigation done by Daily Mirror, locals said that they were often threatened by these Israelis when questioned and these nationals also never allowed locals to enter their parties and business establishments.

The community just grew over time with no concrete measures taken by the authorities and due to the recent developments in the Middle East, the threat from Islamic extremism grew in the region.

As a result, several weeks ago, Sri Lanka's intelligence was informed of a possible threat in the East and South which was frequented by Israeli nationals and westerners which prompted security to be beefed up in the area along with intelligence officers being stationed on ground. The elite STF officers had taken control of the security situation and continue to be stationed to date. It was learnt that STF had also kept bomb squads standby for any emergency.

Then, just before the Presidential Election, local intelligence received the second threat alert by foreign intelligence. But the heightened security remained in place and all measures were taken.

However, the matter took a turn for the worse when the US Embassy in Sri Lanka yesterday morning issued a travel advisory against its nationals from travelling to Arugam Bay until further notice.

In its travel advisory, the US Embassy said it had received credible information on a potential attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area and as a precaution, the Embassy had imposed an immediate travel restriction on its personnel to Arugam Bay until further notice.

"U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid the area during this time. The Embassy encourages individuals to report any suspicious activity or emergencies to local authorities by calling 119," the Embassy said.

It also recommended keeping communication devices, such as cell phones, handy and monitoring local media for updates.

Following this advisory, Australia, Russia, New Zealand and UK updated their advisories, according to the US statement. The Russian Embassy in Colombo urged its citizens to remain vigilant and avoid large crowds in the region.

Meanwhile, Israel's national security council called on Israelis on Wednesday to immediately leave some tourist areas in southern Sri Lanka over the threat of a possible terrorist attack. The agency said the warning pertained to the area of Arugam Bay and beaches in the south and west of Sri Lanka, and stemmed from "current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches".

With the winter season being a peak tourism season in Sri Lanka, the industry did not take the news well. A leading hotelier told Daily Mirror that while these advisories were for a particular area, it would react as a blanket advisory for several tourist spots.

Soon after these international advisories, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told the media that several reports had been received over the past few days regarding potential threats to Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay area.

Thalduwa said that the Arugam Bay and Pottuvil areas had been popular among Israeli tourists, particularly due to surfing events. The Police Spokesman said that considering the potential threats, the Senior DIG of the Eastern Province had implemented preliminary measures to prevent any incidents. Sources said that the Police had taken security measures over the threats prior to the US embassy issuing the advisory.

"Police have set up roadblocks and conducted vehicle checks in the area over the past few days. Currently, special joint security measures are being enforced by the Police, Special Task Force (STF), and the tri-forces," Thalduwa said.

The Daily Mirror learns that a building in Arugam Bay, which had been converted into a "Chabad House" by the Israeli nationals had also caused a stir in the area. A Chabad House is a place of worship for Israeli nationals.

SJB Candidate for the Matara District, Rehan Jayawickreme told the Daily Mirror that in recent weeks police had put up road blocks, protecting the areas where the Israeli businesses were located and questioned why the authorities were not questioning them over their unlawful stay in the country.

Jayawickreme said he had been alerting the authorities for years over the growing Israeli businesses but no action had been taken. "Due to these Israeli nationals unlawfully staying here, Sri Lanka will soon become a battleground like elsewhere," Jayawickreme said.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of an influx of foreign tourists during the upcoming tourism season and considering the conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Police are implementing a special security programme to ensure the safety of foreign tourists, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

The Police Tourism Division will be strengthened, with special instructions set to be issued by Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya to all police stations.

Tourists are encouraged to report any security concerns to the Sri Lanka Police hotline at 1997.

Police also urged hotel owners and tourism staff to take proactive measures to protect tourists and their belongings while maintaining heightened vigilance against potential threats.