Sri Lanka police raise security at popular surf site over threat to Israelis

Police in Sri Lanka have raised security around a popular surfing destination after receiving information about a possible threat to Israeli travelers, a spokesperson says.

Police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa says special security measures have been put in place at Arugam Bay in the country’s east.

The police statement comes after the US embassy in Sri Lanka alerted Americans to avoid Arugam Bay area until further notice due to “credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.”

Thalduwa says the regional police have stepped up security over the past days increasing road blocks and vehicle checks and police will be putting in place security measures around the country to protect tourists who will be visiting Sri Lanka for the oncoming year-end tourist season.