News
Threat to Israelis: No bombs or explosives with Lankan suspects
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.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
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Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
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