The late Lalith Athulathmudali was at one time the Minister for National Security and one who took his responsibility very seriously and never forgot that he was primarily accountable to the people of this nation. The recent suicide bomb blasts were definitely a déjà vu for many of us who have lived through the 80’s and this article aims to demand accountability from the government which has failed the people and themselves.
The series of massacres that were carried out by which appears to be an organized group on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka is nothing but a deliberate attack on all humanity. While we all condemn with disgust the ability to inflict such violence on innocent people on the holiest of all days in the Christian calendar, what are more appalling are the reports that have now surfaced that detailed information on this planned attack has been in the possession of certain responsible people, but no progressive action was taken to prevent the attack. Over 300 people have been denied their right to life, due to the people who had information and yet abandoned their responsibility to ensure national security.
- The series of massacres that were carried out by which appears to be an organized group on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka is nothing but a deliberate attack on all humanity
- It is the duty of the government to ensure the safety of the people
- If one message had been sent out to the public to be vigilant, this massacre may have been avoided
There are people holding high office in the name of national security but this failure is unpardonable. It is the duty of the government to ensure the safety of the people. There is a Security Council, there are the three forces and the police and there is a Ministry of Defence and Ministers who are all paid by the public but have totally failed to safeguard the public.
Appalled and embarrassed
First I was appalled to hear from the Prime Minister that information has been withheld from him. Given the strained relationship between him and the President, this could probably be true. However the public expect the Prime Minister and the President to work in the best interest of the people and the country. Coming before the nation to say “I was not told” (which both of them do from time to time) was simply unacceptable. This is not a simple event in a village, this is about over 300 people being massacred by an organized group. What was even more embarrassing was that international analysts on terrorism and politics mentioning this that ‘the President and Prime Minister are not in talking terms’ and citing this as a huge contributing factor to these explosions.
Political immaturity
For a long period we have witnessed political immaturity in this country. All parties are trying to gain political mileage in any crisis. In the eyes of the international community, this country looks like one which is being run by a bunch of buffoons. And we keep giving them reasons to believe so. There is in-fighting within parties and among parties. They are supported by their own media institutions. This incident should not be used to set the stage to bring in the military or ex-military people to run the country. This country should continue to be a democracy. How all 225 law makers deal with the aftermath of this tragedy will certainly determine the future of this country and the future of these political parties who claim to represent the people.
Public’s right to know
The fact that the international intelligence sources have given prior warning to Sri Lanka and everyone in the Cabinet seems to be aware of this and they have beefed up their own security but the very people who should have been warned - the public - have been kept in the dark. If one message had been sent out to the public to be vigilant, this massacre may have been avoided. The public has a right to know in order to take their own measures of safety.
Sorry does not suffice
At the media briefing the Cabinet spokesman expressed a very casual ‘we are sorry’. However a simple apology does not bring back the people who have died. A sorry in this regard is unacceptable. The whole cabinet has been enjoying all comforts and have security all paid for by the public. But the security of the public was neglected and this should not be forgotten. Men, women and children of this country and of other nationalities have died for no reason. Some victims have just evaporated into thin air. And a casual sorry will not make amends. Men women and children have died. The numbers keep rising. Families have been robbed of their loved ones and caregivers. Perhaps the main bread winners have been killed in this calamity which we know now, could have been avoided. How are these families going to be supported? What plan does the government have to support them? In this country, politicians and some government officials have been able to get away with blue murder. But this is one instance we demand accountability from all concerned.
Law cannot replace common sense
There was a complete lack of common sense on the part of the government when they disregarded the warnings. One of the first decisions taken by the Security Council was to add sections of PTA to the emergency regulations. Bringing back the Emergency law is not in the best interest of the people. We have previously seen that this law and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was used against the people. It is also reported that one of the suicide bombers had been arrested previously and has been released due to political pressure. This shows that the law does not really address the lacuna in the governments’ common sense.
The Police has now requested the motorists to leave their phone number on the windscreen when you park a car. Here is another prime example of a lack of common sense. The risk of leaving one’s contact number on the windscreen is immense. Did they even consider the particular risk to lady drivers? I think not. If this is how the law enforcement authorities are approaching this issue, we have so much to worry about.
Blame game
Right now we see the blame game has started. Fingers are pointed at each other. Cabinet Spokesman stated that ‘the IGP should resign’. Making such statements does not heal the wounds of this national tragedy. Previously we have seen that government officials are made the scapegoat. We have also seen people resigning to then be given a high ambassadorial position overseas with even more benefits.
I am sure that the Opposition will also try to make the best out of this incident for their advantage. While we need to assign blame and hold people accountable, Sri Lankan politicians and media should refrain from pulling this issue in all directions but help the nation to rise together.
We demand accountability
On behalf of all Sri Lankans, we demand that someone or some people no matter how influential they may be, are held accountable. It may even be the entire Security Council, that should be held accountable for this failure to take preventive action which amounts to aiding and abetting of a heinous crime against humanity.
