Pathetic scenes at Dambulla Hospital

by Nilma Dole and Dhaneshi Yatawara

Nimal Seneviratne who narrowly escaped yesterday's bus bomb at Dambulla said, "I was going from Matale to Anuradhapura and when I was about to alight, the bomb went off, and I was in shock at what had happened." Patients in need of further medical care were transferred to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, the Kandy Teaching Hospital and the Matale Base Hospital.

About five were transferred to the Colombo National Hospital from Kurunegala. In total, 15 patients were transferred from the Dambulla Base Hospital to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital. Out of them, four were in serious condition and were shifted to the ICU unit for further treatment.

A one and half year old baby, Dirukshi is in a more stable condition at the Kurunegala Hospital's ICU despite a bleeding ear due to severe exposure to the bomb.

The baby's father Upul, a 29 year old mechanic was traveling from Madewela to Dambulla to visit relatives when this tragedy took place. Unfortunately, doctors have reportedly told that he has gone blind in one eye.

Lalitha Nandani, a 30 year old woman was traveling with her baby Oshadi Anuradha to attend a funeral in Anuradhapura. She said "I heard a huge explosion and I felt I was going unconscious, I couldn't feel my limbs but somehow managed to pass my baby out of the bus, for safety".

Chandana Pushpakumara from Dutuwewa was an unsuspecting passer-by who suffered major injuries in his left eye. He was out of the theatre a few minutes ago but was not in a position to talk.

Among the patients at the Dambulla Hospital, is an eight-year old Kavindu Nipuna who was going to Anuradhapura with his father to view the passing-out parade of his uncle who is in the Army. Both escaped with minor injuries.Podimenike was in a state of shock, questioning each and every one whether they would be attacked again.

Ranjith Priyantha who also suffered minor bruises and said, "I feared for my life when the whole place jarred due to the explosion".

"We were able to treat all the patients and the 24 who were admitted to the hospital are in stable condition," Dr. Sudarshana Arambewela, Medical Superintendent of the Dambulla Base Hospital told the Sunday Observer.

The Dambulla Hospital is an emergency treatment centre, set up especially due to the prevailing situation in the country and the staff have been well trained for any emergency, and added that the hospital has sufficient stock of medicine to face any emergency.