A Nation remembers

RANIL Wijayapala in Peraliya, Hikkaduwa

EVEN the waves once cruel to Sri Lankans by claiming more than 40,000 lives within minutes, joined the entire Nation as it observed two minutes silence sharp at 9.30 a.m. yesterday to remember the first anniversary of the tsunami tragedy.

Sri Jinarathana Maha Vidyalaya, Peraliya, Hikkaduwa was turned into a place for a determined Nation to mark the first anniversary of the tsunami tragedy with a monument in the center symbolising the determined people who rose above the waves to rebuild the Nation.

The half constructed houses, temporary shelters and barriers constructed to block the sea invading the land gave a clear picture how the Nation rose from the tsunami disaster as it marked the first anniversary.

The souls of those who perished in the world's biggest train tragedy would also have witnessed how the Nation remembered the first anniversary of the tsunami tragedy.

Peraliya in Hikkaduwa was chosen by the State to remember the first anniversary of the disaster.

The country stood still as bugles were sounded by the Armed Forces while President Mahinda Rajapakse bowed his head remembering those snatched away by the sea on December 26, 2004.

The National flag was flown half mast as President Rajapakse placed floral tributes before the monument and joined the entire Nation to observe two minutes silence.

Earlier, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim religious dignitaries performed religious rites to bestow merit on tsunami victims.

The entire Nation recalled how they rose from this disaster within days after the massive waves hitting the shores of the country barring all ethnic and religious differences, as songs of determination were performed at this State function.

President Rajapakse gave new hope to the tsunami affected as he announced the launching of the Jaya Lanka programme to carry forward the task of building homes and other properties destroyed by the tsunami with new and greater energy.

The event also recalled the memories of the days of this disaster with the presence of a large number of media personnel at the venue to witness how the Nation remembered the first anniversary of the tsunami.

The presence of a large number of diplomats and political leaders gave much vigour to the occasion. The Opposition Leader was not present.

President Rajapakse also gave scholarships worth Rs. 2500 per month to children who lost their parents in the tsunami.