The Security Authorities are investigating whether the information received on a possible attack on Israeli nationals were credible, Public Security Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Minister Hearth Addressing a press conference said that they did not notify the people about the possible attack even though they received the information prior to the foreign warnings as they wanted to confirm the credibility of the information received.

He added that as they had already had the security measures in place they awaited till the information they received were confirmed.

“All security Measures were in place well before the United States warning was made, therefore there was no requirement to make a public announcement” he added.

He was responding to questions as to why the Government did not issue warnings about the information received.

Three individuals have been already being arrested on suspicion over the matter.

The Minister added security have been tightened at Arugam Bay area as well as tourist locations Bandarawela, Ella, Matara Weligama and Ahungalla areas.

The Minister further elaborated that the matter was thoroughly discussed within the Security Council and had thoroughly discussed the information received while police and indigence divisions are investigating the information.

He said that special police teams, civil police teams were deployed while road blocks as well as check points were set up as security measures.

In addition tri forces too were deployed.

 The police headquarters today issued an emergency telephone number for Israeli nationals who had visited Sri Lanka to ensure their personal security.

Accordingly any Israeli national  who had visited Sri Lanka as a tourist or another purpose feels a need to ensure their security can directly contact Deputy Inspector General Police (Marine and Tourist Range) Damayantha Wijaya Sri via mobile number 071-8592651 .

Security has been stepped up in Arugam Bay and other tourist destinations frequented by Israeli nationals.

Meanwhile Former Minister Kanchana Wijesinghe has questioned why the diplomatic missions were not briefed about intelligence reports regarding possible attack in Arugam Bay, despite the availability of information.

In an x message the Former minister questioned why the officials didn’t tighten the security before the statement from the US embassy was released.

He also expressed concern why the Government failed to call a meeting with the Diplomatic missions and brief on the steps taken in regards to the information received and the steps taken.

The full x message is as follows

 According to the statement made by the Acting Chief of Police, the information on a possible attack was received by the GOSL on the 7th of October and was discussed at multiple Security Council meetings, investigated and precautions taken.

If the Government did have information before the statement from the US embassy went out, it’s a serious concern why the officials didn’t tighten security before.

The reality is that there was no presence of any security officials or armed forces in any of the tourist areas until the warning statement from the US embassy and other foreign missions went out to its citizens.

Another concern is why the Government failed to call a meeting with the Diplomatic missions and brief on the steps taken in regards to the information received and the steps taken to prevent such a threat.

While the threat to national security should never be taken lightly, Tourism income is one of the most important revenue streams for the country.

If the GOSL did have info beforehand and had they briefed the diplomatic missions, a travel advisory warning could have been prevented with the precautions taken.

President @anuradisanayake and the Foreign Minister should at least now call a meeting with the Diplomatic missions and the security officials, brief on the steps taken and work with the foreign missions to remove the travel advisory on Sri Lanka.”

Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala