The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has placed all Indian airports on maximum alert following intelligence inputs warning of potential threats from terrorists or “anti-social elements” between September 22 and October 2, 2025.

The civil aviation ministry’s security wing issued the advisory on August 4, directing immediate enhanced surveillance measures across all aviation installations, including airports, airstrips, helipads, flying schools and training institutes.

“Recent inputs from the central security agency indicate a potential threat from anti-social elements or terrorist groups,” the BCAS advisory stated, calling for heightened security to “avoid any untoward incident.”

Security personnel have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock maximum alert status while increasing patrolling across terminals, parking areas, perimeter zones and other vulnerable locations. Airports must also strengthen cityside security measures in coordination with local police forces.

The directive extends to aircraft operators, both domestic and international, who must ensure rigorous security controls for all cargo and mail before loading onto commercial aircraft. Enhanced screening measures for mail parcels apply to both domestic and international shipments across all stations.

Airport authorities must strictly verify identification for all staff, contractors and visitors, with any unauthorised access to be immediately reported and denied. All CCTV systems require continuous operational monitoring, with suspicious behaviour or unattended objects demanding immediate response.

BCAS has mandated close liaison with local police, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Intelligence Bureau and other relevant agencies, ensuring prompt intelligence sharing amongst stakeholders.

Passengers will be advised to report suspicious activities and unattended luggage, with periodic announcements made where deemed appropriate. Emergency response teams and protocols must be reviewed and activated, with quick drills or briefings conducted where feasible, the advisory stated.

Airport directors must convene special Airline Passenger Service Committee meetings, advising all agencies to implement precautionary measures preventing unlawful interference with civil aviation operations. Regional BCAS directors will ensure immediate special meetings across airports within their jurisdiction. (Hindustan Times)

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Video footage has emerged of two individuals in a car obstructing a private bus, allegedly threatening and demanding ransom from the bus driver and conductor to operate on the route.

The incident recorded by a passenger on the bus shows one person from the car boarding the bus and verbally abusing the bus driver and conductor, later attempting to assault them.

The bus travelling from Mahiyanganaya to Thanamalvila is reported to have faced the incident in the Wellawaya area. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have launched investigations to find out whether tourists, including Israelis, in Arugam Bay, are engaged in any activities, such as business or religion, while on tourist visas. 

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing held today, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said that there have been reports from the past of tourists engaging in business, religious and even illegal activities while on tourist visas.

He further said that as of now, all tourists, specifically Israelis, in the Arugam Bay area are on tourist visas. 

The Cabinet Spokesman revealed that the Police have informed the public to report if any tourist is found to be engaging in any business, religious, or other illegal activities while on holiday. 

Minister Vijitha Herath said that hotels have also been informed to notify if any tourists are engaged in any form of employment or business activities. 

Responding to a question about whether the US Embassy’s warning to the Arugam Bay area was considered political interference, the Government Spokesman said that each country has the power to warn its citizens in the event of a possible threat.

Minister Vijitha Herath revealed that prior to issuing the travel advisory related to Arugam Bay, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka had informed him as well as the Sri Lankan security forces.

He added that as such, the government does not consider the current travel warning as political interference from foreign nations and that foreign countries are not required to ask for permission to issue a travel advisory. 

The update comes as the US Embassy in Sri Lanka last week issued a travel advisory to its citizens, stating that it had received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.

Soon after several more countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia, also updated their travel advisory related to Sri Lanka.

The National Security Council of Israel had also called on Israelis to leave Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay area and other beaches in the island’s south and west immediately, citing terrorism threats. (Newswire)

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An individual who had sought a ransom of Rs. 1 million from a Colombo businessman has been arrested by the Police Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division.

It has been reported that the suspect had sought ransom claiming that he was an associate of notorious criminal figure and drug dealer Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne alias ‘Harak Kata’.

The suspect had introduced himself as ‘Bentota Gihan’ to the businessman, the owner of a prominent clothing store in Colombo and a resident of Havelock Town in Colombo.

The Police stated that the suspect had allegedly threatened to murder the businessman’s son if he failed to provide the ransom as requested.

Investigations have revealed that the businessman had previously paid Rs. 100,000 on three separate occasions.

Due to the continuous threats, the businessman filed a complaint with the Police Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division.

The Police arrested the suspect and produced him before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court after which he was remanded until August 17, 2023.

Investigations have been launched to ascertain if the suspect, a Dehiwala resident, has any connections to the notorious ‘Harak Kata’. (NewsWire)

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