Sri Lankan Bombings

[Jackalope]

    It seems the Muslim terrorists have returned to the island paradise.  As some of you may know, my wife is originally from Sri Lanka, we still have a home there, and our step children still reside there.  I'm familiar with some of the bombing locations, in fact I've eaten at the buffet at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, which is around the corner from the U.S. Embassy and the Sri Lankan Presidential palace.  I'm somewhat surprised how easily the terrorists were able to gain access to the various locations, as the hotels typically have a major security presence.  The incidents illustrate well the need to avoid crowds, though it's easier said than done in such a crowded country.

     I've been thinking about my past visits there in light of the recent bombings.  We're suppose visit there later this year, but I'll be postponing my trip.  And I'll be staying out of urban areas.  However, it's still necessary to pass through the airport, which was one of the targeted areas, though that particular bomb didn't detonate.  The airports are heavily patrolled by Sri Lankan army soldiers, which are typically armed with Uzi carbines.  That may be one reason why the airport bomb didn't detonate, as the terrorists may have been frightened by the military presence.

     Anyways, it's sad that these Muslim terrorists killed so many innocent people.  Sri Lankans are generally very friendly and welcoming, and it's disheartening to see such evil come to an island paradise.

[Kbop]

I hope you and your's are safe and stay safe.

[JoJo]

 On holidays people let down their guard which is a normal reaction.
Here's hoping your children are safe and that you have an uneventful trip to Sri Lanka.

[gadget99]

I hope any of your own are safe and well.

Attacking the innocent in the name of whatever cause continues to be a blight upon the world.

My prayers are for those affected.

[JohnyMac]

Jackalope, MrsMac and I immediately thought of you and your XYL. Our prayers are with your family.

I know I sound like a broken record here BUT...At a minimum, one should always have your EDC on. Not that it would do much when a bomb is detonated however, in Sir Lankan the law of the land is Zero ownership of citizen owned firearms. So they instead of used a firearm they used a bomb.

Things would be a bit different in this country. I suspect a terrorist attack would be conducted with firearm here as we have seen since Columbine. 

[Deathstyle]

Perhaps Sri Lanka government had greatly lowered it's guard since it appears that the Tamil Tigers have generally been defeated.

[Jackalope]

    Thanks folks for all your best wishes.  As some have suggested, the government may have been complacent regarding threats.  Thus far, my family and our friends have not been injured, and one friend is a restaurant manager at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, but he works the evening shift, so he fortunately avoided the blast.  One of my stepsons owns some tourism based businesses, and they will be taking a beating, as I imagine that tourism will be almost non-existent for a year or so.

      Regarding firearms, pistols are totally verboten.  However, certain privileged people are allowed single shot long guns.  One friend of ours, a regional judge, proudly showed me his Russian made 12 gauge shotgun.  It was quite old, somewhat rusty, but functional.  I asked him what he used it for, and he explained it was for killing problem monkeys and for snakes.  He mentioned that it was extremely difficult to obtain firearms there, which is why it's not on our list of bug out locations.  While I was there last time, a local political party had a meeting interrupted when someone shot, with a pistol, several of the politicians and their aides.  So, it is possible to obtain a firearm, and it's a perfect example of only the criminals having guns.  Oh, and a well known Sri Lankan cricket star athlete was arrested for having possession of a handgun, so they're pretty serious about the handgun ban.

     So, it's too bad Muslims terrorists struck this island nation.  I guess Muslims will be Muslims.  And if someone thinks that's racist, well how many Christian suicide bombing have occurred lately?  How many Buddhist suicide bombings have happened?  Maybe it really is time for another Crusade against the "religion of peace".

[Deathstyle]

Maybe the Muzzies will get the Tamil special from the Sri Lankian government? They know how to shit all over people when they need too. 

[Jackalope]

     Well my one stepson has realized that tourism is going to sharply decline in Sri Lanka,so he's looking for other job opportunities.  Along those same lines, the U.S. Department of State is recommending that travelers avoid Sri Lanka due to terrorism threats.  They're also recommending that all school aged children of U.S. employees leave the country.  So, it looks like I won't be visiting for a long while.