Arugam Bay residents in Sri Lanka in shock after terror threat to Israeli tourists

Israeli travellers told to evacuate immediately as police set up patrols and roadblocks

The golden sands of Sri Lanka's Arugam Bay are usually carefree, a place for tourists to surf the famous break and relax on the beach.

But last week, the slow rhythm of the bay was dealt a shock. The US embassy, followed up by Sri Lankan police and Israel's national security council, warned of a serious terrorist threat in the area. Israeli travellers were believed to be the intended target of an attack and were told to evacuate immediately. Hundreds of police and senior intelligence officials descended on the small coastal town, setting up patrols and roadblocks.