A survivor’s memories 30 years after
Sri Lanka had already endured a long series of bombings even before the Central Bank bomb attack. Fear was part of daily life. The victims of a bomb explosion were often identified by their clothing. I remember leaving home each morning, asking my mother to look carefully at what I was wearing, because rumours were rife that the Central Bank was a target.
Neela de Silva was Registrar of the Secretarial Division of Carsons. We were known as Neela’s girls — Malkanthi Wijeratne, Hemanjila Perera, Seetha Jayasinghe (Kanthi), Vanitha Leanage, Nandani Menike, Shiromi Anandagodage and myself. The only male in the division was M. Dharmaratne, the office clerk. We occupied a section of the 4th floor of Carsons’ Equity Two building that faced the Central Bank. The entire wall facing the Bank was a glass window with blinds that we drew open during lunch breaks.
A few years later: left to right, Vanitha Leanage, Hemanjila Perera, Dalrene Thirukumar (nee Dharmarajah), Shiromi Suraweera (nee Anandagodage), Nandani Manike, Seetha (Kanthi) Jayasinghe, seated Malkanthi Wijeyaratne
Neela’s girls were primarily in their early 20s to mid-30s, a close-knit group, who enjoyed our work and still found time to laugh at the silliest things despite our heavy workloads.
A few weeks prior to that fateful day, a sales representative from Ceylinco LIPS Insurance visited the Secretarial Division to promote an insurance policy, which he said was exclusively designed for ladies and included coverage for cosmetic and plastic surgery resulting from an accident. How we laughed and thought it ridiculous. We were in our 20s, who would want plastic surgery?
January 31, 1996
Neela de Silva in 1996
I was about to step out to hand over a cheque to a nearby building where the Mercantile Netball Association was housed, as Carsons was registering for the Mercantile Netball Tournament.
I was seated in my cubicle when I heard sounds like clappers. Curious, I was the first to go to the window. From there, I saw a lorry attempting to force its way into the Central Bank compound, ramming the heavy metal barrier. A man was lying on the road and another crawling under a parked vehicle, likely trying to shield himself. Instinctively, I said, “It’s a bomb.”
The others in the division rushed to the window, but Neela firmly told us that people were shooting and ordered us back to our seats. I returned to my cubicle, briefly wondering whether to take the elevator, but where to? I froze. In a daze, I did the only thing I knew — I began reciting the Lord’s Prayer, just as my mother had taught me to do whenever I was afraid.
Dalrene Thirukumar today
Within moments, a deafening explosion brought the ceiling down. Something stung my eye. I crouched instinctively, my chin hitting my knees. I could no longer see my colleagues by the window. I made my way to the staircase with many others from the other floors joining. I kept saying, “I cannot see.” A hand immediately held mine. I later learnt that Upali from the mailroom had guided me down the steps. I could not open my eyes and tasted blood in my mouth. My dress was stuck to me, soaked in blood. I was numb to pain. When I felt we were outside the building, I heard the familiar, calming voice of Mr. Mano Selvanathan, Director, Carsons Management Services, saying, “This way.” In that moment, despite the chaos, I felt safe.
I recall being rushed to the Accident Ward and later being transferred to the Eye Hospital, where surgery was performed. The doctor told me that glass splinters had damaged the nerves of my right eye and that I would not regain vision in it. When the bandages were removed from my eyes, and I realised I could still see with my left eye, I felt overwhelming relief.
The visiting doctor from Carsons, Dr. A.T. Navaratnam, came the following day, and it was a moment of pure gratitude when I was told that all of us had survived. Neela had sustained a serious head injury but eventually made a complete recovery. Seetha (Kanthi) had pins inserted in her arm, which were removed after three years. Nandani’s face remained noticeably darker for several months after the bomb fire. Vanitha was three months pregnant and delivered a healthy baby boy in June. Malkanthi sustained a leg injury, but held the fort in the Secretarial Division until Neela’s girls re-grouped after a few weeks/months. Shiromi and Hemanjila suffered from many cuts and bruises and had near-misses to the eyes. Dharmaratne, who always minded his own business sitting at his desk, had not sustained any injury, and he was our hero, as he was the one who called for help and ensured all of us were safely taken to hospital. Neela says that, if not for Dharmaratne, she would not be among the living.
Neela today
My father later recalled that, after seeing the damage to the Equity Two building, his colleagues had urged him to look for me. He had replied, “She will come home.” It was only after a friend from HNB informed my family that I was injured that my father began searching — first being directed to the mortuary, fearing the worst, before finally being sent to the Eye Hospital. Most family members were directed to the mortuary first.
Neela’s girls were all treated by plastic surgeon Dr. Narendra Wijemanne, who sadly passed away in March 2025. He would reassure us that he had carefully sutured our wounds so the scars would not show. He removed glass splinters from my face and eye over several visits. He was never rushed, always kind, and always had comforting words to share.
I chose never to live with self-pity. Instead of asking “Why me?” I asked, “why not me?” Some said it was my karma. I said it was my faith in the Lord that has been tested (1 Peter 1:7). My parents, Desmond and Violet Dharmarajah were my greatest strength. They never treated me as lacking, nor did they give me special privileges. They showed me, every day, that I had enough and that God would carry me through all challenges.
M. Dharmaratne
By the grace of God, we all moved on to live full and rich lives. Today, Neela de Silva, Malkanthi Wijeratne, Seetha Jayasinghe, Vanitha Leanage and Dharmaratne, after years of dedicated service, now embrace a happy retirement. Hemanjila Perera married and subsequently relocated to the United States. Shiromi Anandagodage married, had two children, and moved to Australia. Nandani Menike, a dedicated and loyal employee, continues her service at Carsons. As for me, I married in 1999, was blessed with three children, and today serve as the Group Company Secretary of the national carrier. My vision impairment in one eye has never diminished my enthusiasm or hindered my advancement. I thank God for this.
On January 31, 2026, thirty years later, we meet at my home – not just as survivors but as women bound by resilience, gratitude and an unbreakable sisterhood.
To those taken from us on January 31, 1996, your lives were stolen, but your memory endures. Time cannot fade the love, sorrow or gratitude we hold for you. May your souls rest in peace and rise in glory.
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.