Sri Lanka today marked 30 years since the terrorist attack on the Central Bank headquarters in Colombo, which claimed the lives of 41 Central Bank employees.

A commemorative event was held at the Central Bank premises with the participation of Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and other officials.

Floral tributes were laid at the “Punorodgamanaya” memorial in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attack, while an interfaith religious observance was also held, wishing for the recovery of those who were injured.

In a message published on its official Facebook page, the Central Bank stated that the attack carried out on January 31, 1996, “shattered lives and silenced forty-one members of our Central Bank family,” adding that their memory has never faded with time. The statement noted that the commemoration was not only to mourn the victims, but also to remember their courage, service, and resilience.

The terrorist attack on the Central Bank took place on January 31, 1996, and remains one of the deadliest attacks in Colombo, leaving dozens dead and many others injured.