Colombo, Sri Lanka — The United States Embassy in Colombo has lifted the travel restrictions for Arugam Bay, initially issued on October 23, 2024. The embassy advises U.S. citizens in Sri Lanka to stay informed through the current Travel Advisory and to exercise vigilance while reporting any suspicious activities or emergencies to Sri Lankan authorities via the emergency line (119).
The decision follows significant developments that have mitigated the security threat in the region. The U.S. Embassy received credible intelligence indicating that the previously identified threat targeting Arugam Bay has been substantially disrupted. Consequently, the embassy has rescinded the security alert for Arugam Bay, allowing U.S. citizens to resume travel to the area effective immediately.
This security update coincides with recent developments from the U.S. Department of Justice, which on November 8 charged Farhad Shakeri, an alleged asset of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and two associates with plotting a murder-for-hire targeting President-Elect Donald J. Trump. The Justice Department also revealed that the group had planned additional attacks targeting Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay, underscoring the significance of the disrupted threat.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy commended the collaborative efforts between U.S. and Sri Lankan law enforcement that led to the disruption, stating, “We value our strong partnership with the Sri Lankan government and law enforcement, whose collaboration has been essential to disrupt these serious security threats and ensure the safety of Sri Lankans and visitors from around the world.”
