A newly established Chabad House in the coastal resort town of Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka, faced a protest violent protests calling for its closure last Friday night.
The facility, which opened two weeks ago to serve Israeli and Jewish travelers visiting the region with kosher food, Shabbat meals, and community services, has encountered opposition from some local residents and Buddhist monks.
According to Rabbi Yossi Gabai, the center has been targeted by individuals protesting its presence.
‘They claim that Jews here are destroying tourism’
In a statement provided to The Jerusalem Post, Rabbi Gabai stated: “What actually happened, to return to the story from the beginning, is that there are a few antisemitic people, most of the local residents actually love us and welcome us. But there are a few local antisemites who are really bothered by the fact that there is a Chabad House here, with the presence of Jews and Israelis who are here. They claim that Jews here are ‘destroying the tourism,’ which is of course the opposite.”
David Sarosi, an Israeli traveler who was staying near the center at the time, recounted in a statement to the Post that he arrived at the Chabad House on Friday morning after hearing shouting.
He described seeing a demonstration of about one hundred people carrying signs, noting that “even a few Europeans” were present. Sarosi stated that a group of men approached him, warning him not to take pictures, and said they “came with the intention of starting to beat me.” He added that police intervened and pulled him inside the facility before the gate was closed.
Gabai described the protests surrounding the center, noting that demonstrators gathered outside during Friday evening services: “They simply decided to go out in a protest that we need to leave from here. They are generating a lot of pressure, and… caused a lot of noise on Friday, during the Friday dinner. They blocked people from coming close to the Chabad House, blocked the workers, threatened people here, threw drones and firecrackers, and made a lot of noise to disturb the Friday dinner here at Chabad.”
Sarosi similarly detailed that the demonstration grew “more violent and aggressive” during the Friday night meal, describing how protesters set up sound boxes playing music and Arabic songs, launched fireworks that created “crazy booms,” and hurled a large rock that shattered a window. Sarosi noted that many of the attendees inside were military reservists who had recently served in the army and war, remarking that “all these booms really bothered us.”
Footage circulating on social media from the demonstration captures groups gathered outside the facility amidst heightened tensions, showing protesters and monks demonstrating near the premises while police and local authorities monitor the disturbance.
JABAD BAJO ASEDIO: Fieles atrapados durante ataques de turbas en Sri Lanka
En medio de una avalancha de noticias sobre ataques contra israelíes y judíos en lugares exóticos de todo el mundo, surge la historia de una protesta contra una Casa Jabad recién inaugurada en la ciudad… pic.twitter.com/SEe4ErCfBu
— Radio Jai (@fmjai) August 16, 2026
According to Sarosi, the unrest escalated further on Saturday night, with participants throwing stones and fireworks at the building. Sarosi recounted that as he and a friend attempted to head toward his hotel, someone from the demonstration came and started beating him and his wife immediately grabbed him. He managed to retreat back inside the Chabad House as the gate was locked. According to Sarosi, the crowd outside “started throwing stones and fireworks at us” and shooting fireworks toward the building. He noted that it took police approximately ten minutes to arrive and secure the area, allowing those inside to leave safely.
Sarosi also stated that the following morning, the Chabad rabbi shared a screenshot from local social media containing allegations against him, which Sarosi asserted were false, claiming he had threatened women with a stick. He added that a false police complaint was filed against him over the incident.
According to Rabbi Gabai, disturbances continued following Shabbat, prompting increased security measures. “We are in contact with the Foreign Ministry, and we had a meeting with the consul,” Gabai added, noting that additional coordination is ongoing with local authorities to ensure security at the facility.
