By: Staff Writer
November 14, Colombo (LNW): National Security Council Israel lowers threat level for Arugam Bay area from 4 to 2, after suspects arrested in connection to IRGC plot to kill Israelis Israeli authorities Wednesday eased a travel warning for Sri Lanka on Wednesday, some three weeks after cautioning tourists at a popular beach town of an imminent terrorist threat.
Israel and the United States have recently relaxed travel advisories for Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay, following the arrest of several individuals linked to an Iranian plot to target Israelis.
The National Security Council of Israel, which issues travel alerts, downgraded its threat level for Arugam Bay from a “highly credible” level four to a more moderate level two, signifying a less immediate risk.
This change came just weeks after Israel had warned of a potential terrorist attack in the area, a popular destination for Israeli tourists.
The heightened warning had initially extended across the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, including the towns of Hikkaduwa and Arugam Bay, which is known for its surfing spots favored by Israeli travelers.
However, the rest of the island was downgraded from level three (moderate threat) to level two, indicating that the overall danger had diminished.
The shift in the security situation follows a breakthrough in the investigation of an alleged plot orchestrated by Farhad Shakeri, an Afghan national recruited by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In an affidavit filed in U.S. federal court, Shakeri reportedly told the FBI that he and an accomplice had been instructed to carry out a mass shooting targeting Israelis at Arugam Bay.
Shakeri claimed the attack was planned for the region, known for its Israeli surfing community. His accomplice, one of several individuals arrested by Sri Lankan authorities, was alleged to have provided weapons for the attack.
Following these developments, Sri Lankan authorities, with assistance from local security forces, ramped up safety measures in Arugam Bay and surrounding areas. The government had already made security improvements after receiving warnings from international sources.
On October 23, Israel had advised its nationals to leave the area immediately, citing the threat of terrorist attacks targeting Israeli citizens. Travelers were encouraged to avoid identifying themselves as Israelis and to stay in more secure areas like the capital, Colombo.
Despite the easing of the advisory, Israel’s National Security Council continued to caution Israeli citizens to remain vigilant. The Council’s guidance included warnings against wearing symbols of Israel or Judaism while traveling in Sri Lanka, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region, particularly following the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This conflict has sparked protests and demonstrations across Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country, where some local Muslim groups have shown solidarity with Palestinian causes.
