Today marks 21 years since the tsunami - silently commemorated at 9.25 AM

Today (26th) marks 21 years since the Tsunami disaster, considered the worst natural disaster in Sri Lanka's history. To commemorate the more than thirty-five thousand people who tragically lost their lives in this tragedy, arrangements have been made to observe a two-minute silence across the island today from 9:25 AM to 9:27 AM. 

Coinciding with the 'National Safety Day' named in memory of those who died and went missing, the main commemorative ceremony will be held at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle. All-religious programs are also planned to be implemented at the district level, taking into account the country's current social and economic situation, as well as the impact of Cyclone Ditwa.

Due to this horrific disaster, over five thousand people went missing, and the country suffered property damage amounting to billions. Especially, to commemorate the train with engine number 3050, which was caught in the tsunami waves and destroyed, a team of high-ranking officials, including the General Manager of Railways, is scheduled to arrive at Peraliya Railway Station today at 9:00 AM. There, they will lay floral tributes at the memorial, honoring those who tragically lost their lives.

To mark the twenty-first anniversary of the disaster, a series of special religious merit-making ceremonies has been organized at the Peraliya Tsunami Hongonji Centre. These religious observances will be conducted under the patronage of Venerable Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero, the Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan and President of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, and with the leadership of Venerable Mawadawila Shantha Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Peraliya Malawenna Sri Pushparama Temple. This series of merit-making ceremonies, organized jointly by the Malawenna Viharaya Pushparama Sanghamitta Kulangana Samithiya, Pannyawansa Dhamma School, and Anagarika Dharmapala Sucharitha Foundation, is scheduled to commence today at 7:00 AM with a alms-giving (Heel Dana) offered to the Maha Sangha.

Furthermore, at 9:15 AM today, exactly 21 years ago on December 26, 2004, when the tsunami waves reached the Peraliya area, lamps will be lit in remembrance of the deceased. Afterwards, at 4:00 PM, a procession of Gilanpasa (offerings to monks) and flowers will travel from Malawenna Pushparama to the Peraliya Hongonji Centre. Subsequently, at 5:00 PM, a Dhamma sermon will be delivered by Venerable Morawatte Subodhi Thero, and this series of merit-making ceremonies is scheduled to conclude at 6:00 PM with a Gilanpasa offering conducted by Venerable Mawadawila Shantha Thero.