In Sri Lanka, three suspects have been arrested so far on charges of planning an attack in the Arugam Bay area. Local media outlets quoted Government Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath that the arrested persons are currently being questioned and further action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigations.

It was further said that no foreign nationals were among the suspects arrested so far. Mr Herath has assured that all measures to ensure the safety of visiting foreign tourists have already been implemented.

Yesterday, several diplomatic missions in Colombo issued a travel advisory for their nationals visiting the Arugam Bay Area. Arugam Bay, located in the south-eastern Ampara district, is the island’s surf capital, drawing a huge number of tourists every year, with a sizeable number from Israel. Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) of Israel also called on Israelis to leave Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay area and other beaches in the island’s south and west immediately, citing the terrorism threats.