The 17th anniversary of the tsunami was emotionally commemorated today in various districts of Sri Lanka as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the tsunami disaster that hit the coastal belt of Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004.
More than 250,000 people were killed in a tsunami off the coast of the Indian Ocean. In Sri Lanka alone, up to thirty-five thousand people died, some 5,000 went missing and another 800,000 displaced.
This had affected not only lives but also property amounting to billions or rupees.
Commemoration events will also be held in all 25 districts with the support of Divisional Secretariats and Divisional Disaster Management Centres.
Emotional tsunami commemoration events were held in the Batticaloa district. More than 2,800 people have been rescued from the tsunami disaster in the Batticaloa district today, marking the 17th anniversary of the tsunami. The event was held emotionally at the memorial erected to commemorate the 243 people who lost their lives due to the tsunami disaster in Thiruchendur.
Also, a tsunami commemoration event jointly organized by the Trincomalee, Kinniya Divisional Secretariat and the Al Hitaya Fishermen’s Association was held today at the Thona Beach Fishermen’s Building premises.
