News
Israelis stay in Lankan tourist areas despite terrorism warning
(VoI) The last remaining Israelis in the Sri Lankan tourist area said they felt safe and would remain behind despite warnings from Jerusalem to leave immediately due to threats of possible terrorist attacks.Israel’s National Security Council on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, asked Israelis to leave the tourist area south of the Indian Ocean island nation. They have information about terrorist threats focused on tourist and coastal areas.
The agency did not mention the nature of the threat, but said the warning was related to the Arugam Bay area, a popular place for Israelis, and beaches in southern and west of Sri Lanka.
The US Embassy in Sri Lanka and the German Foreign Ministry also provided similar warnings, prompting Colombo to increase security and increase vigilance.Sri Lankan police have arrested three suspects for questioning in connection with an unnamed threat.
“We are trying to ensure that all tourists are protected and their safety is guaranteed at all times,” police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said.
Local authorities said there were about 600-700 Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay from September to early October 2024.
However, that number has shrunk to just 20 when security warnings were issued this week that coincided with the end of the tourist season.
As of Friday, October 25, 2024, 17 people had moved from the area and some of them flew abroad, leaving three Israelis in the southeastern city of about 7,000 people.
One of them, who has come to Sri Lanka since 1991 and is an old resident. He said he felt safe and was waiting for the arrival of his 17-year-old wife and twins in a week.
“I’m happy to come here and my family is happy to come here. We surf for about three to four hours every day when my sons are here. I don’t think there is a serious security threat,” he said.
The man, who declined to be identified, said two policemen appeared after the first security warning. Now, there are 16 security personnel, including police special forces, stationed around his small, blue-painted home in Arugam Bay.
Two other Israeli men, brothers who were relaxing in their rooms at a nearby halfway house, were surrounded by about eight police personnel and special forces.
They also said they would stay there until the end of the month and then move to the city of Ahangama which is not far from Arugam.
Sri Lanka continues to improve security with memories of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing still fresh in memory.
The attack allegedly on ISIS targeted churches and three hotels, which killed 267 people, including at least 45 foreign nationals.
Unexpected Security checkpoints have sprung up on main roads and bridges in the Arugam Bay as well as surrounding areas. As many as 500 police, military, and special forces were deployed.
The police stopped the vehicle and checked the passenger’s identity card.
Israeli officials have warned of an increasing threat of attacks on Israelis outside their country since the start of the war in Gaza.
There has also been a spike in reports of antisemitic incidents in many parts of the world since the war broke out in the Middle East after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Teluk Arugam residents dismissed social media speculation about tensions in the Muslim-majority city over the presence of Israelis after the Gaza war.
“I started renting out rooms to foreigners last year. They like to live here because they are not afraid,” said 41-year-old Abubakar Rinosha, who owns Israeli brothers’ halfway homes.Another resident said Israeli tourists were the main source of income, covering 70 percent of the city’s revenue.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
PM meets academic experts from the British Council
Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland at T20 World Cup
PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London
Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee
Afghanistan refugee women’s team set for England tour under ECB initiative
DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features5 days agoSri Lankan Airlines Airbus Scandal and the Death of Kapila Chandrasena and my Brother Rajeewa
-
News6 days agoLanka’s eligibility to draw next IMF tranche of USD 700 mn hinges on ‘restoration of cost-recovery pricing for electricity and fuel’
-
News5 days agoKapila Chandrasena case: GN phone records under court scrutiny
-
News5 days agoRupee slide rekindles 2022 crisis fears as inflation risks mount
-
Features2 days agoOctopus, Leech, and Snake: How Sri Lanka’s banks feast while the nation starves
-
Business5 days agoExpansion of PayPal services in Sri Lanka officially announced
-
News22 hours agoSteps underway to safeguard Sri Lanka’s maritime heritage
-
Features7 days agoMysterious Death of United Nations Secretary General Hammarskjöld