The police headquarters today issued an emergency telephone number for Israelites who had visited Sri Lanka to ensure their personal security while proceeding with the investigations into the alleged conspiracy to carryout attacks in the Arugam Bay area.

Accordingly any Israelite 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.

At least two persons have been arrested for questioning over the alleged conspiracy. One of them is a resident of Jaffna.

Meanwhile Former Minister Kanchana Wijesinghe has questioned why the diplomatic missions were not briefed about intelligence reports regarding possible attack in Arugambay, 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.”