A tragedy of errors

I went to the Nugegoda Keells Super this evening aroung 2030, and found a bunch of cops outside it. Apparently someone had seen a bag outside the Keells and had called them. Immediate action followed. The cops came from Kohuwala and Mirihana, and the Bomb Squad were on their way. Such enthusiasm, such efficiency, such hilarity amongst everyone watching.

Of course every one still remembers the bomb in Nugegoda. It was only a week ago. I still remember it, I was there. Evidently the cops do too.

And many have heard the stories about the bomb. That the police were called but didn't bother to show up for more than half an hour. That ultimately some poor slob of a security guard and a traffic cop had opened the parcel. That the cop, who had probably watched too much Jack Bauer on 24, cut one of the wires. That the results were, to say the least, tragically predictable.

So where does the blame go? To the LTTE for placing the bomb in the first place, definitely. How about the accessories to the fact? How about the cops? There is a Police station in Kohuwala, 10 minutes walk from the Nugegoda Junction, there is one near the Supermarket, another 10 minutes if you're lazy. There is the Mirihana police station, somewhat distant, but 15 minutes by car. None of these stations responded to the call for help.

The Bomb Squad showed up 30 minutes after the bomb went off, just before the fire brigade did. When a big converted Land Rover, lights blazing, and siren blaring pulls up in front of you, it's pretty difficult to miss. When the squaddies jump out with their bullet proof armour and warn everyone away, it gets your attention. Maybe they had some new technology that lets them pack the force of the blast back into the parcel. Who knows. But the dead are still dead.

We get told that the protection of the government is your protection. We get told to report suspicious parcels, people, vehicles, and planes. We get told that our defence is in our hands. Well its a nice thing to say, but no one seems to want to follow up on it. So what's the point anyway?

So lets place the blame where it is due. Both on the LTTE for doing their job, and the cops for NOT. (Before everyone starts screaming about the hypocrisy of not wanting the cops to check people, and then complaining about them not doing their jobs. Read the fucking post. I have not complained at all about them not checking the bomber(s). In fact, I still remain vehemently opposed to this checking. What I am opposed to, is that when they were called, they didn't bother to show.) So lets also blame the cops, for being negligent in their duty to arrive at the scene when they were called. So why is here no inquiry as to why this was allowed to happen? Don't the people have a right to know and see that this doesn't happen again?

I remember not much more than a year ago, multiple bombs went off in Colombo. The police were informed of suspicious activity, but did nothing. Then they found a bomb in Borella. I had something to say about that. This time they have arrested over 800 tamils in Colombo. Trying to find more bombers, they say.

The point is folks, let us enjoy this new vigilance by the cops. This new enthusiasm to check out every possible threat. In fact, make sure to call them and let them know of any threats you find. Because, after all, they are so vigilant about closing the stable doors after the horse has made a run for it. And make the most of it while it lasts, it won't last more than a few more weeks.