… potential threat to Israelis here

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Police spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa yesterday told The Island that following a local intelligence alert the police had adopted a series of measures, a few days back, to ensure the safety of foreign tourists in the Arugam Bay.

Attorney-at-Law Thalduwa said that they had been engaged in a major security effort when the US Embassy issued a warning yesterday (23) morning, followed by some other foreign missions.

According to him, the initial alert was received as the police and other authorities were engaged in discussions to put in place a comprehensive security plan in view of the tourist season.

DIG Thalduwa said the police, the STF and the armed forces personnel had been deployed in sufficent numbers in the Arugam Bay in the East as well as other areas vulnerable to possible threats to prevent any untoward incident.

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya told a hastily arranged media briefing in Polonnaruwa that they were engaged in security operations in this regard for about three weeks.

Police announced on Wednesday (23) that they were taking additional proactive measures to safeguard tourists and citizens from potential threats, as the US Embassy warned of credible information about planned attacks in the Arugam Bay area, a popular tourist destination on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, favoured by Israeli visitors.

The police also introduced a dedicated hotline, 1997, for reporting any security issues faced by tourists.

Police spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that they had special security measures in that area for some time as many Israeli tourists visit the area, particularly for surfing. Thalduwa attributed heightened security measures to the developing situation in West Asia.

Taking into account the ongoing conflicts in West Asia, the police would roll out a special security programme in collaboration with intelligence services to ensure the safety of visitors. Following the US warning, additional measures had been taken to protect people and property, the official said.

In a statement, the police highlighted that a record number of tourists were expected to visit Sri Lanka in the coming months, according to government estimates, and assured that the Sri Lankan government would take full responsibility for ensuring the safety and freedom of all tourists.

The Sri Lanka Tourist Police would be further strengthened, with Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya issuing instructions to all police stations to prioritise tourist safety, Police said.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau recently announced that the country expected to attract three million foreign visitors next year. (RK)

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Russia, UK, too, issue warnings

In the wake of the US warning of potential threats in the Arugam Bay area, popular among Israeli tourists, the UK and Russia, too, issued similar warnings to their citizens visiting Sri Lanka.

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Israel asks its citizens to leave Sri Lanka

The National Security Council of Israel has asked all Israelis, living in the Arugam Bay area and other beaches in the South and West areas in the island, to leave immediately, citing terrorist threats. The majority of Israelis visit the east coast for surfing.