American tourists must avoid all travel to Arugam Bay or leave the area immediately due to a “credible terrorism threat,” the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, warned earlier today.
“The Embassy received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area. Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, the Embassy imposed a travel restriction on Embassy personnel for Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice,” said the agency.
According to intelligence gathered by local police, terrorist organizations are currently plotting attacks to murder foreign tourists, particularly American-Israelies and Israelis, on Sri Lanka’s east coast. The affected areas include the cities of Galle, Hikkaduwa, Weligama, and especially Arugam Bay, as shown on the map:
Meanwhile, just a few hours ago, Israel’s National Security Council urged its citizens to leave Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay area, as well as islands in the south and west of the country, due to pressing concerns over ongoing terrorism threats.
Citizens in 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,” the Israeli Council stated.
Additionally, Jews or individuals with any ties to Israel have been advised to conceal anything that could identify them as part of that community or country. Another critical safety measure includes avoiding large gatherings.
“Avoid externalizing Israeli identity symbols in the public sphere, including avoiding movement with Hebrew shirts or symbols that betray origin and religion,” the NSH said.
Note that U.S. government personnel are currently prohibited from stepping foot in the affected area, so if you find yourself in need of urgent assistance, you will be on your own.
At press time, the U.S. Embassy hasn’t disclosed specific details about the source of the threat.
I’m Traveling to Sri Lanka or In the Country Right Now, What Should I Do?
First and foremost, stay calm but act quickly—the first thing you must do is put off your trip or evacuate the area without delay. Keep monitoring the situation on the ground and follow all instructions from local authorities.
Those “planning to come to the country are advised to postpone their trip unless it is an essential trip,” a security agency stated.
International agencies also urge you to take the following actions:
- Call local authorities by dialing 119 if you notice any suspicious activities.
- Now more than ever, stay alert and aware of your surroundings. If something feels off, trust your instincts—it may not be safe.
- Keep handy an electronic device to stay in touch with family back home or authorities.
- If you are in the area but unable to leave the country, at least head to Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, where the government has deployed police forces to address the threat.
Remember that in the latest security assessment, the U.S. government identified terrorism as an ongoing risk in Sri Lanka. Potential targets include government facilities, shopping malls, and tourist hotspots, where attacks can occur with little or no warning whatsoever.
What is Prompting 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-Israel Muslim groups, which make up about 10% of Sri Lanka’s population, have been actively protesting against Israel’s military actions against the terrorist Muslim group Hamas in Gaza and, more recently, its intervention in Lebanon.
Shortly after the U.S. Embassy issued its warning, local police announced an emergency plan to protect tourists.