Sri Lanka to remember Tsunami victims

Today marks the 13th year of the Tsunami tragedy that struck Sri Lanka killing around 35,000 persons.

Records at the Disaster Management Centre indicates that another 5,000 persons are still reported missing.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake occurred with the epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.

The shock had a moment magnitude of 9.1–9.3 killing 230,000–280,000 people in 14 countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 metres high.

It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

Indonesia was the hardest-hit country, followed by Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.

Around 75% of the Sri Lankan coastal region was affected by the tragedy.

The DMC said National Safety Day will be marked today in view of the 13th year of the disaster.

Deputy Director and Media Spokesman of the DMC Pradeep Koddippili speaking to NewsRadio said a two minute silence will be observed from 9:25am to 9:27am in respect of the victims of the disaster.

The national event to mark the 13th anniversary of the victims of the 2004 Tsunami will be held at the Tsunami monument in Paraliya, Hikkaduwa.

The highest numbers of deaths were reported in the Telwatte area when the Tsunami waves derailed a train recording the most tragic train accident in history.