Uncertainty Lingers in Arugam Bay-by Aanya Wipulasena
Source:Ceylontoday
T. Thuslimiya, 18, did not expect a heavy security forces presence in Arugam Bay. She lives walking distance from the town, and since news broke out about a possible threat to tourists on Wednesday (23) she has not stepped out of her house.
“We are all very scared. The warning came out of the blue. We had no idea what was going on. We still don’t,” she said as she sat on the veranda of her house.
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By Friday (25), all but one Israeli national remained in Arugam Bay. Others were evacuated with Police protection. Their absence is evident in the usually busy tourist hotspot. Even though surfing off-season is just starting, with the crowds moving to the South, hoteliers in the area say at the end of the previous season there were more tourists in town than now.
“Cancellations poured in. We had bookings till December and all of them were cancelled,” L. Dilshan who works at a resort said. He believes that the damage done to the image of Arugam Bay will take months to reverse.
On Thursday, Minister of Public Security, Vijitha Herath, at a special press conference said from the start of October, tourist areas were provided protection. Since then, security have been beefed up in areas including Arugam Bay, Ella, and Weligama. He said three suspects are currently being held and questioned to ascertain if they were involved in a possible ‘disturbance’ to tourists. Herath said the situation is expected to be normalised in a few days.
The security forces in Arugam Bay were cordial to visitors allowing them to go about their day in peace. The government set up a hotline for Israelis to contact when in need. However, an armoured vehicle, armed forces, and multiple checkpoints were intimidating, even to the locals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel issued travel warning for Sri Lanka and Myanmar on 19 August warning Israeli citizens to reconsider visiting Sri Lanka specially the Arugam Bay area and were told only to modestly wear Israeli and Jewish symbols if necessary and to stay away from gatherings. For Myanmar it was a complete stop for travel in to all parts of the country.
In a statement issued, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, we are witnessing an increase in calls on social networks and even targeted harassments against Israelis in the Arugam Bay beach area. In light of this, the ministry recommended Israeli citizens against visiting Arugam Bay and those who are staying there against displaying any symbols related to Israel and to the Jewish religion.
However, Israeli nationals started leaving Sri Lanka as war heightened in the Middle East. By the time the first travel advisory was issued, all but 27 of them remained in Arugam Bay.
Hashan Chamika, 33, who works at a tourist establishment in the area was not surprised by the warning but how the warning was issued.
This is in stark opposite to Thuslimiya’s experience, indicating the finesse shown by the intelligence operatives in controlling the flow of information and ensuring the security of the Israelis, mostly young defence force personnel who are coming to Sri Lanka at the end of their mandatory military service to rest. Sri Lanka is one of the places where Israelis are freely welcomed.
Chamika first heard about the threat weeks ago, when a unit of intel officers visited his workplace and asked everyone to be on alert. If there was an unfamiliar face, someone who is not from the area, they were told to inform the police. The second warning came days later saying that places where raves were held will be especially targeted and those working at these places should be on high alert.
Chamika works at one of the two main establishments that were named to be targets of a possible attack.
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“At least 30 officers came to our place to ‘clear’ the place. They noted down everything- of the workers, of the tourists, of the locals who came. They provided complete protection without scaring anyone,” he said adding they also did security checks in their own way.
Days after the presidential election, held on 21 September, security was beefed up again. This time both uniformed officials and those in civil clothing were on duty night and day.
“Because we got advice and protection from the Police we were not scared. We knew that the situation was under control,” Chamika said.
The sudden advisory, however, was not expected. “I think that the warnings only hampered the ongoing investigations. The unidentified people who are connected to the attack will now take extra care to hide,” he said.
As the investigations continue, those who rely heavily on the tourists wondered what the future holds. In an attempt to encourage tourists to visit the area, president of the Chamber of Tourism and Industry in Arugam Bay, A.M. Jaufer held a press conference on Friday. “We are speaking to you from Arugam Bay, it is safe here,” he said.
According to Jaufer from May to August around 3,000 tourists stayed in the tourist area daily. Half of them- Israel nationals.
“We welcome any tourist to this paradise. Some people attack Palestinians. That is not an issue for us. It’s their country problem not ours,” he said.
However, he raised concerns about the Chabad House in Arugam Bay. “Some people say it is a place where Isreal intelligence operate. We don’t know anything about it. But it should be built with government approval,” he said.
Israel among the top 20 tourist markets
Israel is among the top 20 tourist markets in Sri Lanka, statistics from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) depict.
Sri Lanka Tourism extended a warm invitation to travellers from around the world to visit Sri Lanka during the upcoming tourist season.
“We ensure that all tourists can enjoy a safe and secure experience while exploring the beauty of our island. The highest levels of safety and security will be maintained for all visitors throughout their stay in Sri Lanka.”
The Ministry of Defence has also assured Sri Lanka Tourism that necessary measures have been taken to guarantee the safety of tourists across all areas of the country, ensuring peace of mind for those currently staying in Sri Lanka and for those planning their visits.
We look forward to offering every traveller a memorable and enjoyable stay in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism assured.
SL-Israel relations – past and present
Dr. Aruna Kulatunga who was the communications officer at the Israeli Interest Section in 1985 said, “For decades beginning in 1985, Israeli deployed a clandestine diplomatic initiative in Sri Lanka, operating as part of the US Embassy however being physically situated in a highly protected location in Colombo. The Israeli interest section as it was known then was the catalyst for forming the special task force (STF). The STF was formed to ensure legal protection for militarised operations by the Police in the East of the country including Arugam Bay against the LTTE.
They are even today the STF secures the East leaving the army and the other security forces to concentrate on other areas.
Israel also provided the Kaffir fighter planes and the Dvora naval patrol vessels anchoring the Airforce and the Navy’s battle capabilities. Beyond that Israeli was also heavily involved in training Sri Lanka armed forces in intelligence and clandestine operations.
The relationship between Israel and Sri Lanka was strong even when Mahinda Rajapaksa who was then the chairman of the Sri Lanka Palestine friendship association, an ardent supporter of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), took over as president.
The only interim period where Israelis were not involved directly in Sri Lanka’s war efforts was in 1989 when President Ranasinghe Premadasa requested them to withdraw following an allegation made that they were also training the LTTE. They returned when President Chandrika Bandaranaike took office in 1994. Since then, Isreal has been an integral part of Sri Lanka international relations and its efforts to eradicate terrorism.
However, Sri Lanka’s UN representatives former chief justice Mohan Peiris was instructed to be part of a motion initiated by the Chilean government to protest a move by Israel to ban UN secretary general from visiting Israel.
