Published on - 2/1/2008
THE LORRY 42-6452 containing 440 pounds of high explosives changed the lives of thousands, when it crashed through the main gate of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on January 31, 1996. This terrorist attack of an unprecedented scale killed at least 91 people and injured 1,400 others.
\"I was working at the Ceylinco House when I heard gun shots. I went to the window to see what the commotion was.
I saw two people running from one end to the other of the Bank's premises and then they shot an RPG at the Ceylinco building.
I fell down and then seconds later I heard the bomb blast,\" National Accounts Division Senior Assistant Director Mr J. D. Vithanage said, recalling his experience on that tragic day.
\"I suffered from cut injuries on my arms and my face, while my eyes were damaged,\" Mr. Vithanage added. Despite being given the option of taking medical retirement he chose to make a productive contribution to the organisation.
\"It took me two years to recover from these injuries. But I continue to experience certain complications up to this date,\" he added.
However, he had made a conscious choice to rise above his personal tragedy and to continue steadfast in his career path.
Mr. Vithanage's story is an example of the path of resilience chosen by many employees who were severely affected by the Central Bank bombings.
Only 20 employees had to go on compulsory medical retirement due to disability.
The Centre for Banking Studies Assistant Director Mrs. Karuna Dampahalage was another victim who had to undergo a series of operations due to this unexpected tragedy which struck at the beginning of her career.
With many more productive years ahead of her she chose to continue with her work despite experiencing a certain level visual impairment.
\"At 10.30 a.m. I heard gun-shots and I rushed to the window. I was in the front building and I therefore I could see the entire Central Bank premises from that vantage point. I saw some civilians lying on the road while one terrorist kept shooting at the Central Bank building. Then I saw an old lorry trying to enter from the Galadari side, but it couldn't because of a barer. It tried to break the barrier a few times but failed. Then I saw the lorry reverse. It was then that I realised that this might be laden with explosives. I moved away from the window and started crawling on the ground. Two seconds later the entire ceiling ripped apart and fell on of top of me. If I hadn't moved away from that window I fear that my name might also be among the list of the deceased,\" Deputy Director of Security Services Mr. Ekanayake said.
\"I sustained minor injuries and was in a position to help my colleagues. When I went to the hospital I could see rows of bodies. One of my friends Dr. Zuhair, had just come back to Sri Lanka after finishing his doctoral studies and he had lost his eyes,\" he added.
\"This incident had a bad psychological impact on me because I was conscious through out the whole ordeal. Then for six months I had a recurring fear, every time I saw an old lorry, thinking that it might explode,\" Mr. Ekanayake said.
Mr. Happuarachchi from the Non-Bank Supervision Division lost his wife, while sustaining severe injuries. However, he also chose to continue despite the tragic memories of loss and destruction.
\"Many who could have contributed positively had to retire prematurely on medical grounds. The long-term effect of the loss of human capital cannot be quantified,\" Central Bank of Sri Lanka Secretary Mrs C. K. Nanayakkara said.
Are the fears now resurfacing given the heightened security situation in the country?
\"We feel that we are quite safe now with the declaration of the high security zone. We have also taken all the necessary precautions and therefore we can breath more safely,\" Mrs C. K. Nanayakkara added.
