The National Security Council (NSC) of Israel has called on Israelis to leave Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay area and other beaches in the island’s south and west immediately, citing terrorism threats.

“Those leaving these areas are advised to leave the country or at least to the capital Colombo, where there is a high presence of local security forces,” says the NSC.

According to the Israel Times, the warning further said Israelis should postpone travel to the rest of the country. They are also urged to hide signs that indicate they are Israelis and avoid gathering in large numbers. 

The warning comes after the US Embassy in Sri Lanka today issued a travel advisory to its citizens, stating that it has received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.

Issuing a clarification on the travel advisory, Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said that the surge in Israeli tourists and the occupation of a building in the Arugam Bay area has prompted the US Embassy in Colombo to issue an advisory. 

Addressing the media today, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that Arugam Bay and Pottuvil have been identified as the most preferred holiday destinations in Sri Lanka for Israeli tourists, due to activities such as surfing.

“Due to their interest in surfing a lot of Israeli tourists have visited Arugam Bay and as a result have also occupied a building in the area. As the area is currently highly populated with Israeli tourists, we had received information in the recent past on possible threats to them,” he said. 

DIG Thalduwa confirmed that special security measures are currently in place in Arugam Bay, with the involvement of the Police, Special Task Force (STF), Navy, Army, and State Intelligence Services (SIS). 

Following the travel advisory issued by the US, several more countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia, had also updated their travel advisory related to Sri Lanka.