On Wednesday, the US embassy in Sri Lanka issued a warning about a possible attack on Arugam Bay, a popular surfing spot located on the eastern coast of the island. This alert led Sri Lankan authorities to strengthen security measures for tourists in the area.
The embassy released a statement indicating that there was credible information regarding a threat aimed at well-known tourist sites. In response, local police and intelligence agencies have joined forces to create a plan to protect both tourists and nearby resorts.
This warning comes amid social media campaigns advocating for a boycott of Israeli-owned businesses in the region, which coincide with protests from local Muslim groups against Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. These demonstrations have garnered support from various members of Sri Lanka's predominantly Buddhist population.
In reaction to the embassy's alert, the police have introduced a new security plan intended to ensure the safety of tourists, although details of this initiative remain confidential. Authorities have also set up a dedicated hotline for tourists to report any safety issues, promising a swift response to any potential threats.
Although Israeli tourists account for less than 1.5% of the 1.5 million visitors to Sri Lanka in the first nine months of this year—amounting to around 20,000 individuals—Arugam Bay continues to be a favored destination among Israeli travelers.
Since the tragic Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 279 people, including 45 foreign nationals, Sri Lanka has not experienced similar incidents of violence. Those coordinated attacks targeted three luxury hotels and three churches and were carried out by a local extremist group linked to the Islamic State.
Tourism in Sri Lanka has been gradually recovering after a significant drop due to those attacks and a severe economic crisis in 2022 that led to widespread civil unrest. Following an International Monetary Fund bailout last year, the tourism industry has seen an increase in visitor numbers.
