American tourists should avoid all travel to Arugam Bay or leave the area immediately due to a “credible terrorist threat,” the US Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka previously warned Today.
“The embassy received credible information warning of an attack on popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area. Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, the embassy has imposed a travel restriction on embassy staff for Arugam Bay with immediate effect until further notice. the agency said.
According to information gathered by local police, terrorist organizations are currently plotting attacks to kill foreign tourists, especially American-Israelis and Israelis, on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The affected areas include the cities of Galle, Hikkaduwa, Weligama, And especially Arugam Bay, as shown on the map:
Meanwhile, Israel’s National Security Council a few hours ago urged its citizens to leave the Arugam Bay area in Sri Lanka, as well as the islands in the south and west of the country, amid pressing concerns over ongoing terrorism threats.
Citizens in these areas “are advised to leave the country or at least go to the capital Colombo, where there is a large presence of local security forces.” said the Israeli Council.
In addition, Jews or individuals with ties to Israel have been advised to conceal anything that could identify them as part of that community or country. Another crucial safety measure is avoiding large gatherings.
“Avoid externalizing Israeli identity symbols in the public sphere, including avoiding movements with Hebrew shirts or symbols that reveal origins and religion,” according to the NS.
Please note that US government personnel are currently not allowed to set foot in the affected area, so if you need urgent assistance, you will be on your own.
At the time of writing, the US Embassy has not released specific details about the source of the threat.
I am currently traveling to Sri Lanka or within the country, what should I do?
First and foremost, stay calm, but act quickly. The first thing you should do is postpone your trip or evacuate the area immediately. Continue to monitor the situation on site and follow all instructions from local authorities.
That one “those planning to come to the country are advised to postpone their trip unless it is an essential trip,” a security service said.
International agencies also urge you to take the following actions:
- Call local authorities by dialing 119 if you notice any suspicious activity.
- Now more than ever, stay alert and aware of your surroundings. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts; it may not be safe.
- Keep an electronic device on hand to stay in touch with family back home or authorities.
- If you’re in the area but can’t leave the country, by all means head to Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, where the government has deployed police forces to deal with the threat.
Remember that in there the latest safety assessmentthe US government has identified terrorism as an ongoing risk in Sri Lanka. Potential targets include government facilities, shopping centers and tourist hotspots, where attacks can occur without warning.
What Causes Terrorist Threats Against Tourists in Sri Lanka?
The warnings came after some social media posts calling for a boycott of Israeli-owned businesses in the area went viral on social media.
Anti-Israeli Muslim groups, which make up about 10% of Sri Lanka’s population, have actively protested Israel’s military actions against the terrorist Muslim group Hamas in Gaza and, more recently, its intervention in Lebanon.
Shortly after the US embassy issued its warning, local police announced an emergency plan to protect tourists.
