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.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said.

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Following are 11 key points from the President’s Government Policy Statement;

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala informed Parliament that nomination of Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been accepted as the Opposition Leader of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

National People's Power (NPP) Gampaha MP Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed his name, and the nomination was confirmed by Vijitha Herath.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3. The adjournment followed the President’s delivery of the government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament earlier today.