Sri Lankan security forces have been alerted to a potential attack on Israelis in the Arugam Bay area by Indian intelligence agencies. According to intelligence information, the threat is believed to be targeted at foreign nationals.

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya also said that intelligence regarding possible threats was first received on October 7. “We had reports indicating a potential attack aimed at foreign nationals,” he said, adding that the issue was extensively discussed in a security council meeting where operational instructions were provided.

It was reported that two Sri Lankans, one of whom is reportedly based in Iraq, were ready to execute the attack. They have allegedly been offered approximately Rs. 5 million for their involvement. Indian intelligence agencies have supplied Sri Lankan authorities with all relevant information, including the names of the individuals involved.

According to information the attack was planned in Arugam Bay as a revenge for the killing of the leaders of the Hezbollah organization by Israel in recent days.

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed at least seven high-ranking Hezbollah commanders and officials in recent weeks, including the group’s chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated in a strike on his underground headquarters in Beirut late September.

While refuting claims by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that his government had allocated funds required to increase public sector salaries, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that no such funds had been allocated.

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing Ranjan Ramanayake from contesting the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14.

Claiming that Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of undertaking reforms which have led to some hard won gains, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said they could move fast towards the third review which will come up soon.

The Election Commission has decided to mark the voters' index fingers for this year's general elections, Commissioner General Saman Ratnayake announced. He said the elections are scheduled for November 14, 2024.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to hold a series of meetings with the High Commissioners of South Africa and New Zealand, along with the Ambassadors of Iran and Myanmar, as well as a delegation from the European Union today (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the security threats to Israeli nationals in the Arugam Bay area, Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Sri Lanka should get its foreign policy right in the wake of the escalating Middle East crisis, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman said today.

The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due to demonstrations, the threat of terrorist attacks and crime, particularly in the Arugam Bay area.

Former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara asked why the government did not take action to beef up security for foreign tourists in advance if it had received information on a possible threat on October 7, according to the statement made by Acting Chief of Police.

Former Presidential Advisor Sagala Ratnayake has advised the current government to appoint a National Security Advisor to prevent potential threats from terrorists to Sri Lanka. Addressing the media yesterday, Ratnayake said that the introduction of an intelligence-sharing network with other countries had helped the former government avoid such threats.