As people gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka for Easter Sunday service, they were unaware that nine suicide bombers were also among them. These bombers, both male and female from middle-class backgrounds, were all Sri Lankan and targeted multiple areas around the country’s capital. Eight bombers struck at hotels and Catholic churches across the island, while one bomber blew herself and her two children up at a police raid in the city. All bombings occurred nearly simultaneously at three churches and three hotels. 350 people in total were killed due to these 9 individuals.
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| Family members of fallen victims gather to remember their loved ones |
Authorities reported that the number of people arrested had risen to 60 and other involved in the accident remain at large. It is agreed that this was an ongoing terrorist plot that could be linked to the Islamic State. Experts predict that ISIS had provided training or supported financials for these attacks, however no evidence has yet been found.
An Indian security official said India had interrogated a man last year who was linked with ISIS, and who said he was inspired by Mr. Zaharan’s videos on social media. That intelligence prompted an investigation into Mr. Zaharan, and it was part of the context for an April 11 warning that the Indians sent to the Sri Lankan authorities about the possibility of church bombings on Easter Sunday. The warning was never relayed to church officials, and the Sri Lankan authorities apparently took no action against members of Mr. Zaharan’s group, despite specific information provided by the Indians. Now, Sri Lankan citizens are attempting to sue their president for withholding information that led to the death of 350 people.
Personally, I believe that it is an ethical issue regarding the president withholding this information. The people who were killed were killed because of their religion. This deliberate attack can be considered a terrorist attack on a religious organization which is an infringement of their first amendment. Being that the president did not address this component of the attack and withheld prior knowledge, I side with the people of Sri Lanka in wanting their president to receive consequences for his action.
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