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A sombre commemoration made even more sombre due to COVID
View(s):Strong winds and grey skies hovered over many religious observances held to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami disaster that killed over 30,000 people in the coastal districts of Ampara, Batticaloa, Galle, Hambantota, Jaffna, Matara, Mullativu and Trincomalee.
This year observances had to follow strict health guidelines due to the threat of COVID-19. People were requested to observe 2 minutes silence from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m. to remember those who died tragically.
The Department of Railways said the annual commemorative train journey from Fort to Pereliya in remembrance of the Pereliya train tragedy was not organised this year due to the COVID-19 situation in the country. As Boxing Day has been declared as the National Safety Day in 2005, a number of awareness programmes were also held to educate people in disaster prone areas.
Limited crowds were seen around tsunami memorials, all wearing masks while they placed fresh flowers remembering their loved ones swept away by tsunami waves 16 years ago.