Memories : An assassination, mob violence, funerals and wreaths

At 9.30 in the morning on October 31, 1984, I left the Sri Lanka High Commission at Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, where I was Second Secretary as I had an appointment at 10 o'clock with Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, then Principal Secretary (Communication) to the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Shasthri Bhavan in the Indian capital.

- BY SUGEESWARA SENADHIRA

As I was about to leave the gate, Choudhary, the chowkidar (watchman) at the gate said there was a call for me and the receptionist had transferred it to the phone extension at the gate. I got down from the car and took the call, which was from a close Indian media friend at United News of India. "Yaar (friend), I have hot news for you. Indira has been shot by her guard and Sonia has taken her to AIIMS. PM was bleeding heavily, my colleague at the hospital reported," the UNI man shouted.

I thanked him and rushed back to the room of High Commissioner Bernard Tilakaratna, who was dictating a letter to his Private Secretary Rupasinghe and gave him the shocking news. "OK, check the developments and keep me informed as I have to tell Colombo as soon as possible" Tilakaratna told me and resumed his dictation.

I kept my appointment with Mani Shankar Aiyer, who gave me only 15 minutes before rushing to AIIMS. I travelled with him and found out that Mrs Indira Gandhi was pronounced dead at the time she was taken to the hospital.

I returned to the High Commission and as I passed Rupasinghe's desk, he said, "Mr Senadhira, you are a life-saviour. Few minutes ago President Jayewardene called the High Commissioner to find out about the assassination, which was reported in a BBC flash and the HC said he was well aware of the incident and he sent Second Secretary Senadhira to the Information Department o get more details," he smiled raising his eyebrows up.