Sri Lanka remembers 2004 Boxing Day tsunami victims

A two-minute silence was observed from 9.25am to 9.27am today, in remembrance of all those who died in the 2004 tsunami.

Today marks 18 years since the disaster.

Tragedy struck when a 9.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded in deep seas near Sumatra Islands in Indonesia.

The tsunami resulted in the death of nearly 282,000 people from 14 countries including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and India.

The death toll in Sri Lanka was nearly 35,000.

Around 2,000 people were killed in the Peraliya Thelwatta train accident, which is considered to be the largest single rail disaster in world history by death toll.

Every year since 2005, the 26th of December has been declared National Safety Day and various programmes are carried out in remembrance of all those who died in disasters, including the tsunami.

The main event of this year’s National Safety Day was held at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle, with the participation of state officials, Tri-Forces and Police, and the public.

The Disaster Management Centre said several programmes were organized in other districts, in line with the main event.