The elite Special Task Force (STF) have heightened security in Colombo, Weligama and Ella as well, a day after the US Embassy in Colombo gave a warning of a possible terror threat in Arugam Bay, a senior defence source told Daily Mirror last evening.

Security continues to be strengthened in Arugam Bay since the first alert was given by the US and other countries to Sri Lanka’s intelligence community weeks ago but measures have been taken to keep security heightened in Colombo, Weligama and Ella as well until further notice.

The STF is in charge of the operation with several officers deployed on ground along with intelligence officers also stationed in several key areas.

There is no sign as to when this security situation will normalize but all precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any possible incidents and safeguard the tourists as well as the locals, the senior defence source said.

The Daily Mirror learns that additional police and STF forces have also been deployed outside Jewish prayer houses, better know as ‘Chabad Houses’ in these areas to prevent any harm to the Israeli community and tourists residing here. In Weligama, road blocks have been put up to protect the business establishments run by Israeli nationals, creating a stir among locals as to why these nationals were not being questioned as to if they held valid visas.

By last evening it still remained unclear if the Israeli nationals who were running businesses here, mostly in the East and South were being questioned on the status of their visas and if they were overstaying in the country.

Meanwhile Minister Vijitha Herath told the media yesterday that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the security threats to Israeli nationals in the Arugam Bay area and said these suspects were all Sri Lankan nationals.

He said that further details about the suspects will not be disclosed to the public, as doing so could hinder the investigations.

Herath however re-assured the public that comprehensive security measures are in place to protect tourists.

Following the latest developments and the alert given by Israel’s national security council calling on Israelis to immediately leave some tourist areas in Sri Lanka over the threat of a possible terrorist attack, the Daily Mirror learns that at least 22 Israeli nationals left the country yesterday.

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.

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.

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.