Sri Lanka east coast on alert for anti-Israeli threat, Israel urges citizens to hide identity

As a result, Israel’s national security council has issued an urgent warning to Israeli citizens to leave popular tourist areas in southern Sri Lanka immediately, and classified the Arugam Bay region as a level four threat, advising Israelis to take precautions, such as concealing their Jewish identity and avoiding large gatherings.

“The Israeli security establishment is maintaining close communication with Sri Lankan security authorities and closely monitoring the situation,” the council stated.

It also advised Israelis in other parts of Sri Lanka to exercise caution and avoid holding large public gatherings.

The security alert followed a warning from the US Embassy in Colombo, which said it had received credible information about a potential attack in Arugam Bay. “US citizens are strongly advised to avoid the area until further notice,” the statement said. The Russian Embassy issued a similar warning to its citizens, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid large gatherings.

Police have assured protection for all foreign nationals. “Given the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, we are coordinating with intelligence services to ensure the safety of tourists,” Thalduwa said. A hotline has also been established for tourists to report any suspicious activities.