20th Anniversary of 2004 'Boxing Day' Tsunami Commemorated
December 26, 2024The nation solemnly observed the 20th anniversary of the devastating 2004 'Boxing Day' tsunami, which claimed over 35,000 lives, during the ‘National Safety Day’ commemorative ceremony held today (Dec 26) at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) attended the ceremony, alongside senior officials from the DMC.
Commemorative activities extended nationwide, including at the Tsunami Memorial in Peraliya, with individuals as well as state and private sector institutions, pausing to honour the victims. A moment of silence was observed island-wide from 9:25 a.m. to 9:27 a.m. in tribute to the lives lost in this natural calamity that struck on a Sunday morning in 2004.
The ceremony served not only as a remembrance of the lives lost but also as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and resilience.
