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A
makara-like wave came crashing in says Samudra Devi head guard "Although the train is scheduled to leave Maradana at 6.40 a.m, invariably there is a delay of 15 to 30 minutes, but on December 26 for the first time in my career as a guard, we left Maradana Station sharp on time," Mr. Karunathilake said. He also said they had a smooth run-until the tragedy struck- without the usual delays. Pointing out another coincidence he said the Samudra Devi which usually runs on a M7 engine, that day, was running on a more powerful M2 engine, which added speed to the journey. The train reached Ambalangoda by 9.18 a.m and left shortly evading the delay of unpacking parcels." Therefore, with six minutes to spare, the train reached Kahawa to see the departure signal indicating yellow which was a warning of an obstacle ahead. Little did anyone on that ill-fated train know that it was no man-made obstruction, but nature's ferocity that was awaiting them as the train reached Thelwatte. "The block signal between Thelwatte and Seenigama, indicated red. At this point the driver J. Fernando, assistant driver N. Sivayogarajah, Gooneratne and I realised there was trouble ahead, and the train was brought to a halt. "Not even one minute passed, when I noticed a stream of vehicles moving to and fro along the level crossing ahead. I then heard a thundering noise like two current cables coming into contact and noticed some water trickling towards the tar road of the level crossing. There was no water on the railway track at that point. "I was in the last compartment and Gooneratne was in the first when suddenly water gushed in, but not higher than our waists. I thought my eyes were playing tricks when I suddenly had a glimpse of young girl on top of a tree. She was crying budu amme mawa bera ganna . I got out of the train and since the level of water was still up to my waist, I swam towards the girl and brought her back to the train," Mr. Karunathilake said. Keeping with his duty of ensuring the safety of the passengers and the train, Mr. Karunathilake proceeded towards the rest of the compartments of the train to find several had been wrenched loose as a result. Just as he was inspecting the damage he saw a torrent of water about six to eight feet high gushing in. "Suddenly we heard a monstrous sound coming from the sea and a huge blackish-grey wave like that of a makara (dragon) rose high above the coconut trees," Mr. Karunathilake said shuddering as he recalled those deadly few minutes. " Passengers were screaming. I heard ithibiso being chanted by Buddhists and some Muslim boys praying to Allah," he said. "I quickly got out of the compartment through a window and managed to pull some more out. I saw Mr. Gooneratne being dragged away with many other passengers. All those who escaped the tsunami ran towards the temple at Thelwatte which was untouched," Mr. Karunathilake said. When he returned to the scene of the tragedy what greeted him was no different to a mass grave. "There were bodies everywhere. I saw the body of the driver J. Ferando but couldn't pull it out as it was stuck between the door and the ground. " Some of us crossed the river in a ferry and reached the Meetiyagoda Police Station. I only had my underwear on and it was like a god-send when I suddenly heard the voice of my friend Premasiri a foreman from Thelwatta, who gave me a sarong. When we got to the police station people were running for their lives and people were being taken to the safety of temples and schools in trucks and vans," Mr. Karunathilake said. |
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