Low number of Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay amid off-season and regional tensions

10 March 2026 06:40 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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Colombo, March 10 (Daily Mirror) - The number of Israeli tourists currently staying in Arugam Bay remains low due to the off-season, although security measures in the area continue to remain tight, a senior police officer said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the officer said that only about 40 to 50 tourists from Israel are presently in the Arugam Bay area.

Despite the reduced number of visitors, authorities have maintained heightened security in the eastern coastal tourism hub amid growing security concerns linked to the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East that began in late February 2026.

According to the officer, the Sri Lanka Police, together with the Special Task Force (STF), have implemented a 24-hour security framework in major tourism zones, including Arugam Bay, to ensure the safety of both locals and foreign visitors.

Security concerns surrounding Israeli tourists in the area have previously drawn both local and international attention, particularly due to the presence of a Chabad House that served as a religious and community centre for Jewish travellers.

However, the senior officer said the situation has eased following the closure of the Chabad House earlier this year.

The Chabad-Lubavitch centre in Arugam Bay was shut down in early 2026 after a controversy involving its legal registration and tensions with local residents. Sources said that the land was later repurchased by a local resident to resolve the dispute over its use as a religious facility.

At present, three Chabad Houses in Sri Lanka, located in Colombo, Hikkaduwa and Weligama, continue to operate as community centres for Jewish travellers.

Arugam Bay remains a popular destination among Israeli tourists, particularly surfers who often travel abroad after completing their mandatory military service.

The main tourist season in Arugam Bay typically runs from April to October, coinciding with the dry season along Sri Lanka’s east coast, when the area attracts international surfers due to its consistent waves and favourable offshore winds.

According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka recorded 556,655 tourist arrivals between January 1 and February 28 this year, of which only 6,628 visitors were from Israel.