BY TAIWO FAROTIMI
Information has emerged that the security organisations in Sri Lanka were aware of the attacks that left many dead on Easter Sunday but failed to take precautionary steps. There are also indications that there are divisions within the government, a development which may have given room for lack of trust.
For instance, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed disappointment that the security services were ‘aware of information’ of possible attacks but literally slept on the information. The consequence was the tragic attacks that left scores of worshipers and tourists dead. By Monday morning the update is that casualty rate had gone up to 290.
The prime minister also said that his government was not intimated of the security report. A distraught Wickremesinghe said, as the country battles this sad development, “We must look into why adequate precautions were not taken. Neither I nor the ministers were kept informed.”
That, however, may not be the thinking of everyone in government. Hemsari Fernando, chief of staff to President Maithripala Sirisena [ a position that is somewhat of political rival to the office of prime minister] said the information received earlier in the month was to the effect that ‘only one or two’ likely attacks were being planned. He said he did not expect that there would be something of the magnitude witnessed on Sunday. This is a confirmation that there was indeed a security report, and that as far back as the beginning of the month. It also shows that the security chiefs shared that information with the chief of staff or the president, but because they did not believe it could lead to a major attack, they kept it away from the prime minister and his ministers. If that were to be the case, then the government may need to look inward. Perhaps there are people in the government who have allowed political schism to affect their role as it affects the health of the state and its people.
The tragic events triggered security action. The air force said they found an improvised explosive device- a six feet long plastic pipe, which he said was packed with explosives. It said the explosive device was found near the airport, an indication that the airport was also targeted. The police raided two addresses where it found explosives and sadly lost three officers during a shoot out with people on the premises. Though it is yet to spell out likely findings as to the group behind the bombings, the police has said that the number of people arrested has increased. It said now that 24 people are being detained in connection with the attacks. Further investigations may give direction towards the brains behind the attacks.
Apart from the scores of Sri Lankans who died in the attacks, 35 foreigners are said to have also been killed. Among the 35 are three children of Danish billionaire, Anders Povisen. While Britain lost five citizens against India’s six, Portugal, Netherlands and Japan lost one each. Turkey, Australia, and China lost two nationals each.