The Daily The Terrorist Attacks in Sri Lanka
Apr 24, 2019
Jeffrey Gettleman, the South Asia bureau chief for The New York Times, dives into the harrowing terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that claimed over 350 lives. He discusses the shocking rise of a local extremist group amid political chaos and security failures. Gettleman delves into the complexities of the event and its connections to global terror networks, exploring the aftermath and the government’s ineffective response to prior warnings. The podcast sheds light on how local conditions can lead to devastating international repercussions.
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Sri Lanka Bombings and Political Turmoil
- A series of coordinated bombings in Sri Lanka killed over 300 people, raising questions about how a small local group could execute such a sophisticated attack.
- The Sri Lankan government was in political turmoil, potentially hindering their response to prior warnings about the attacks.
Missed Warnings and Inaction
- The Sri Lankan police learned about a preacher, Mohammed Zaharan, who was radicalizing young Muslims and encouraging violence against Buddhists.
- Despite receiving detailed warnings from India about Zaharan's planned attacks, the Sri Lankan government took no action.
International Terror Network Involvement
- The scale and sophistication of the attacks, along with the targeting of churches on Easter, suggested the involvement of an international terror network.
- The lack of prior conflict between Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka further pointed towards external motivations.