A host of events to mark the ‘National Safety Day’ in remembrance of the thousands of innocent victims of the 2004 Tsunami were organized by the Disaster Management Centre in all districts.
DMC Media Spokesman Pradeep Koddippili said priority was given to multi-religious activities and awareness programmes.
Koddippili said all 77 tsunami warning towers erected around the country are working and are regularly checked.
A two-minute silence was observed from 9.25 am to 9.27 am in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami.
As our neighbour Indonesia which continues to suffer the trauma of last weeks volcanic tsunami and bad weather, let’s remember with respect the thousands of innocent victims of the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka, marking one of the worst natural disasters to affect the our country in recent history.
Over 35,000 lives were lost due to 2004 tsunami. President Maithripala Sirisena in a post in his Twitter account said, “As a devastating tsunami and bad weather continue to cause suffering to our friendly nation of Indonesia, let’s remember with respect the thousands of innocent victims of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, marking one of the worst natural disasters in the recent history”.
The 2004 tsunami affected 14 countries and the death toll rose to over 227,000.
The ‘National Safety Day Ceremony’ was held near the tsunami memorial at Telwatte, Paraliya yesterday in remembrance of the thousands of tsunami victims of 2004. The Coastal line “Samudradevi” train also stopped at Paraliya for five minutes in remembrance of the victims of tsunami-rail disaster where at least 1,700 passengers died on board. The 14th year tsunami commemoration included a guard of honour by the Tri-Forces and Police personnel and multi-religious activities. Here, relatives of the tsunami victims placing floral tributes at the tsunami memorial. Pictures by Wimal Karunathilake
