Sri Lanka’s southern coast has long been one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its beautiful beaches, world-class surfing, and vibrant party scene. But over the past few years, there’s been a significant shift — some tourists are no longer just visiting. They’ve started setting up businesses and reshaping the local culture, often without going through the legal process required to operate in a foreign country.
In particular, tourists from Israel, Russia, and Ukraine are increasingly renting homes for several months and then sub-letting them to other travelers via platforms like Airbnb. Some even organize regular parties and events. A troubling trend has emerged where certain parties are advertised as “no locals allowed”, effectively excluding Sri Lankans from spaces within their own communities.
One section of the southern coast already feels like it’s been taken over by Israeli visitors. Street signs, restaurant menus, and billboards are increasingly appearing in Hebrew. A foreign visitor recently posted a controversial video on Instagram expressing concern over what he saw:
“Israelis are coming to Sri Lanka, and they’ve done what they do best — taking over the place. They’ve occupied it and made it feel like Tel Aviv. They host parties advertised as ‘no locals allowed.’ The Israelis have come to Arugam Bay, throwing raves and refusing to let Sri Lankan people attend.”
— Tom Monagle
Another sensitive issue is the rise of Chabad Houses, a form of Jewish religious centers, being established along the southern coast. Some believe this is linked to the idea, held by a group of Israelis, that the ancient biblical city of Tarshish mentioned in their texts refers to Galle, a city in Sri Lanka. While religious beliefs should be respected, tensions rise when locals feel excluded or restricted from accessing public areas and when unregulated business activities take hold.
Sri Lanka is a nation that has endured immense pain — from a 30-year civil war to the tragic 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. In both cases, the violence was caused by small groups of extremists, yet the suffering was borne by the entire nation, regardless of race or religion — Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim alike.
Before these new developments spiral into another social issue, it’s crucial for the government to take appropriate action. Tourism must be regulated. Foreigners who wish to do business should follow the legal immigration and investment procedures, just as any Sri Lankan would have to when starting a business abroad.
Sri Lanka is a peaceful, multicultural country. It should remain a welcoming place — but one where laws are respected, and locals are not pushed out of their own communities.
