The tsunami claimed the lives of over 35,000 people in Sri Lanka, while around 5,000 others were reported missing. Massive damage was caused to property, infrastructure and livelihoods, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country’s history.
In remembrance of those who lost their lives, December 26 has been observed as National Safety Day every year since 2005.
The main National Safety Day commemoration for this year is scheduled to be held this morning in front of the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), this year’s observance will not only commemorate the victims of the tsunami but also those who lost their lives due to other disasters. In addition, a series of multi-religious programmes have been organized at district level across the country.
The DMC has also requested the public to observe a two-minute silence from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m. today in memory of all those who lost their lives due to disasters.
