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Economist Podcasts

Worrying new threat: tragedy in Sri Lanka

Economist Podcasts

The Economist

News & Politics, News

4.35K Ratings

🗓️ 23 April 2019

⏱️ 23 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After co-ordinated bomb attacks that killed hundreds, Sri Lanka is reeling. But if the government was so consumed by internal struggles as to miss warnings, how can it respond to the devastation? We take a look at global efforts to contain corruption, drawing lessons from Brazil’s sprawling Lava Jato investigation. And, a visit to what will be the precise geographic centre of the European Union—if and when Britain leaves.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio. I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

0:09.8

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

0:17.5

Corruption is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for voters all over the world.

0:22.6

Accordingly, corruption investigations are increasing.

0:25.6

We look at Brazil's massive Lavajato probe and how it influences public attitudes about graft and cronyism.

0:33.6

And where precisely is the center of the European Union?

0:40.7

Don't worry, French geographers have the answer.

0:43.7

And they know precisely where it will be, when, or if Britain leaves the Union.

0:49.2

Locals there are already preparing their centerpiece.

0:55.6

First up, though.

1:00.0

In Sri Lanka today, morning continues.

1:03.4

On Sunday, coordinated bomb attacks tore through three luxury hotels and three Christian

1:08.1

churches during Easter services.

1:10.4

More than 300 people were killed.

1:13.0

The government reacted swiftly, blocking social media sites and declaring a state of emergency.

1:18.6

Police have already detained 40 suspects. The defense minister claimed the bombings were carried

1:23.8

out in retaliation for last month's attacks on mosques in New Zealand.

1:31.4

The president, Mithra Pala Sirisena, condemned the atrocity.

1:37.7

Sri Lanka is no stranger to sectarian violence.

1:41.5

Nearly three quarters of its 22 million people are Buddhist.

1:45.5

The rest are split between Hindu, Muslim and Christian minorities.

1:52.1

For nearly 27 years, militant members of the Tamil ethnicity, itself made up predominantly of Hindus,

...

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