Cannot forcibly, illegally occupy our lands - SJB candidate tells Israelis

A fisherman throws his line in the morning in Arugam Bay, east of Colombo, Sri Lanka. REUTERS/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/File Photo

Cannot forcibly, illegally occupy our lands - SJB candidate tells Israelis

23 October 2024 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Rehan Jayawickrama today cautioned against Israeli nationals running illegal business activities in some parts of Sri Lanka. 

He said the following in his X message: 

"The illegal activities of certain Israeli business owners have persisted for far too long. Despite numerous appeals to various governments to put an end to this and ensure fair play, these requests have been ignored. Now, we are facing a serious security threat that could derail Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery efforts.

"Authorities must address this situation with urgency. If these warnings continue to be dismissed, the repercussions for Sri Lanka could be more severe than we anticipate.

"As the Arugam Bay season winds down, the Southern season begins. However, the presence of heavy roadblocks in Weligama is already causing fear among tourists, casting a shadow over their sense of safety.

"To those Israelis fueling this instability, let me make one thing clear. You cannot forcibly or illegally occupy our lands as you have done elsewhere. You cannot conduct illegal business practices and ruin opportunities for others. Even though we have welcomed you to this beautiful island, this is not your country, and you must respect the laws of this land."

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Israel issues travel warning to parts of Sri Lanka over 'terrorism threat'

By Reuters

October 23, 2024

JERUSALEM/COLOMBO, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Israel's national security council called on Israelis on Wednesday to immediately leave some tourist areas in southern Sri Lanka over the threat of a possible terrorist attack.

The agency said the warning pertained to the area of Arugam Bay and beaches in the south and west of Sri Lanka, and stemmed from "current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches".

The security council did not specify the exact nature of the threat and called on Israelis in the rest of Sri Lanka to be cautious and refrain from holding large gatherings in public areas.

"The Israeli security establishment ... is in close contact with the security authorities in Sri Lanka and is following the developments," it said.

The U.S. embassy in Sri Lanka also released a security alert stating it had received "credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area".

"U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice," it added but did not give details.

Police security has been beefed up in the area and officials are on high alert, police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said in a video statement released in Colombo.

"This area is a popular spot for surfing and this has attracted a large number of Israeli tourists. We are working to ensure they remain safe," Thalduwa said.

Sri Lanka, famed for its pristine beaches, tea plantations and historic temples, is seeing a resurgence in tourists as the island nation recovers from a severe financial crisis.

In the first eight months of this year, 1.5 million tourists arrived in Sri Lanka, including a total of 20,515 from Israel, government data showed.