Military and law enforcement personnel in Sri Lanka increased their presence around a prominent surfing venue on Wednesday after the United States Embassy reported receiving “credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations.”
The State Department’s cautionary notice asks U.S. nationals to avoid sites around Arugam Bay and adjacent destinations along country’s south and west coasts.
The advisory led Israel’s National Security Council to request that its citizens take steps to move to unaffected areas and begin their prompt return home.
"The information was that a place called 'Chabad House' run by Israelis could be a target and we have taken measures to strengthen security," Police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said while also acknowledging recent tensions in the area between Jewish travelers and local Muslim residents.
Authorities in Jerusalem and Washington indicated they were in close contact with diplomatic officials in Colombo regarding the situation.
On Easter Sunday 2019, a series of coordinated suicide bombings carried out by associates of the Islamic State targeted three churches and three hotels frequented by Western guests in the predominantly Buddhist country.
