U.S. Embassy Lifts Travel Restrictions for Arugam Bay

In an official statement, the Embassy advised all U.S. citizens to stay updated by reviewing the current travel advisory for Sri Lanka. U.S. visitors are encouraged to remain vigilant, stay aware of their surroundings, and report any suspicious activities or emergencies to local authorities for safety.

According to reports yesterday, the Sri Lankan government requested that the U.S. Embassy in Colombo remove its travel advisory, which warned American citizens against visiting the popular surf spot Arugam Bay on the east coast.

The advisory, issued on October 23, was based on credible information about a potential threat in the area. Following the U.S. warning, other countries, including Israel, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia, also issued similar advisories, revealing that the threat appeared to target Israeli tourists specifically.

In response, Sri Lanka's government reportedly asked the U.S. to withdraw the advisory. In light of the situation, Sri Lankan police detained six local individuals and reinforced security at popular tourist sites to ensure the safety of foreign visitors.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung clarified that the advisory was not a travel ban but a precautionary measure intended to help prevent any incidents from occurring.