THE WAGES OF COMPLACENCY AND TERRORISM
The Daily Mirror grieves for over 200 Sri Lankans who fell victim to multiple terrorist attacks yesterday. We stand with the loved ones of the victims in this most tragic moment.
Needless to say, while we unreservedly condemn these dastardly and cowardly acts we emphasize that the perpetrators are terrorists and this descriptive overrides all other identities.
We call upon all our fellow citizens to exercise the utmost caution when going about their routine activities and as importantly in arriving at conclusions and disseminating the same. Rumour, after all, has always been terrorism’s trusted accomplice in the matter of causing confusion and persuading people to abandon reason in favour of emotion.
The Daily Mirror, given the character and pattern of these attacks, urges the Government to take all necessary steps to bring all those associated with these acts before the law. The Government would also do well to keep in mind that these acts are of the kind that flows from ideologies that pay scant regard to human life and which are typically carried out by organizations that have done the extensive groundwork in setting up a strong, determined and ruthless network of operatives.
No doubt in the coming days a clearer picture will emerge regarding these terrorists. What needs to be understood by a nation that has suffered the terrible torments unleashed by ruthless terrorists is that vigilance is, unfortunately, a quality that has to be learned and practised by all at all times and in all places. The terrorist needs only one error on our part. We cannot stress the fact enough.
It is in this context that we are compelled to remind the Government that we are facing the frightening possibility of returning to a past made of such wanton crimes against humanity in part due to policy choices which included turning a blind or partially blind eye to festering extremism.
More dangerously, a rush to hurt political enemies severely compromised the security apparatus of the country. The pursuit of those associated with military high-ups in the previous regime included what can only be described as a witch-hunting of intelligence sections naturally sowing disenchantment and demoralization. While demilitarization is a logical policy option in a post-conflict scenario ‘dropping the guard’ wholesale was, as yesterday’s attacks clearly show, absolutely moronic.
The scale and spread of the attacks obviously indicate that the enemy is not at the proverbial gate but is within the city, literally and metaphorically. As such the support of the citizenry is a non-negotiable factor in meeting this threat.
Unfortunately, there has been an alienation from the citizenry on many counts, not least of all in showing no discomfiture whatsoever in being framed along with the best-buddies of the LTTE, so to speak, both locally and internationally. This makes it all the more difficult to solicit the cooperation of the ordinary citizen, never mind political opponents.
In a situation like this, it becomes imperative that the citizens exercise extra vigilance. At all times. In all places.
As mentioned above, we expect the Government to move beyond the easy task of strong condemnation to appraising the citizenry of the who, what, where, when, why and how of all this. If, for example, identity-related sensitivities are privileged in favour of revealing the truth, it will not only feed rumour-mongering but will further comprise the ability to meet the challenge if the truth, indeed, reveals certain uncomfortable realities.
Only the defence establishment and those associated with the subject of security will know for sure the readiness to respond to situations such as the one at hand.
It is clear, let us not forget, that these entities have demonstrated zero-ability to nip things in the bud. We are past that point, unfortunately. The lack of preparedness does not give reason to hope that those mandated to protect us will be able to close ranks and put in place a system that can dispel the fear and apprehension that has enveloped the country.
If we have to begin from scratch, so be it. We have proved to be a nation that has what it takes to fight terrorism, protect ourselves and rid the country of the terrorist menace. We did it once and will do it again. We should not and shall not fail each other and ourselves.