Israel has urged its citizens holidaying in coastal areas in Sri Lanka to leave immediately owing to a possible terrorist attack linked to the Middle East crisis.
Its National Security Council made the call on Israelis on Wednesday saying the warning was based on “current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches”.
Sri Lankan newspapers said security has been tightened in parts of the eastern coast and also the southern coast, frequented by Israeli tourists.
Earlier on Wednesday, the US, the UK and Canadian missions in Sri Lanka urged their nationals to avoid the surfing paradise of Arugam Bay on the country’s eastern coast following intelligence reports of a possible terror attack connected to the Middle East crisis.
Police confirmed the reports saying security has been strengthened in the area, adding that they had received reports of a possible attack a few weeks ago.
No details were given but police sources said this was connected to tensions between Arugam Bay area residents, mostly minority Muslims, and Israeli nationals who have set up a few businesses in the area to cater to Israeli surfers.
Sri Lanka is supporting the Palestine cause and backing international pleas for Israeli to suspend attacks on the Gaza strip which has suffered for more than a year under an onslaught by Israeli forces. Muslims in Sri Lanka form the second largest minority group after the Tamil minority community.
However the country also has cordial and diplomatic ties with Israel.
Israel ranks as Sri Lanka’s 18th source market for tourist arrivals, while Sri Lanka has long been working to attract support from affluent nationals in the Middle East.
While the UK is a key source market, Sri Lanka aims to achieve 2.3 million tourist arrivals this year, matching the record high set in 2018.
