Only four of 168 Israelis here in Arugam Bay; biz competition among resort owners?

By Rathindra Kuruwita

No firearms or explosives were found in the possession of three Sri Lankans arrested following intelligence reports indicating potential security threats to Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka, police sources said on Friday.

According to police intelligence, Indian intelligence agencies had alerted Sri Lankan authorities in early October about possible attacks on Israelis in the country. At that time, 168 Israeli nationals were present in Sri Lanka, with only four staying in Arugam Bay.

Intelligence officials discovered that the Israelis based in Arugam Bay had been encouraging Christian foreign tourists staying in resorts owned by Maldivian and Sri Lankan Muslim proprietors to relocate to alternative resorts. Additionally, some Israelis in Sri Lanka were overstaying their visas and engaging in business activities.

Intelligence operatives have since located all Israelis in Sri Lanka and compiled a database with their contact details before the issuance of travel advisories by the US and other countries, sources reported. The Israeli government has also advised its citizens in Sri Lanka to return home.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo on Thursday, Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the three suspects had been arrested based on suspicion, without any explosives or firearms in their possession. He emphasised that security agencies needed more time to investigate and verify the threat’s accuracy. “We are still working to confirm whether the information about a possible attack on Israelis is accurate,” he said.

Minister Herath noted that due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Sri Lankan government felt it necessary to implement additional safety measures for tourists in the country. Since Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election as president a month ago, the National Security Council (NSC) has convened several times. During the second NSC meeting, intelligence agencies reported a potential threat to Israeli tourists, which prompted swift government action to safeguard tourists and locals alike. Herath added that, in response, the police, STF, and tri-forces had been deployed in key areas.