Police in Sri Lanka have increased security at a popular beach for surfers and other tourists. The Swedish Foreign Ministry is urging caution in the area around Arugam Bay.
The measure comes after the US embassy in the country warned its citizens to stay around Arugam Bay because it had received "credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist sites" in the area.
The warning is also specifically aimed at Israeli visitors, and Israel is urging all citizens to leave Arugam Bay and other coastal areas in southern and western Sri Lanka, writes the AP news agency.
Several countries have forwarded the US warning to their citizens, including Norway and Denmark.
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Swedes on its website "to exercise increased vigilance and caution and to follow the instructions of local authorities. Swedes are also urged to carefully follow developments and media reporting.".
The local police state that they have set up roadblocks in several places, and a Jewish center has also received increased protection.
The country's tourism industry continues to suffer from reduced revenues following the Islamic State terrorist attacks during the Easter weekend of 2019, when more than 250 people were killed in attacks on churches and hotels. Since then, no major attacks have occurred in the island nation.
A large majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists, but in Arugam Bay a majority are Muslims.
Source: TT-DI.SE
