---

Thousands of innocent lives were sacrificed to the deadly tsunami that struck the Pearl of the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. It was a poya day and hundreds and thousands of Buddhist devotees were praying for the goodwill of their lives and of their loved ones. On that very day, many decided to travel on board the ‘Ocean Queen Express’, the express train from Colombo to Matara, for religious and other purposes. Recorded as the deadliest rail disaster that has ever happened in history, out of the 1500 odd passengers who travelled on board, 1200 of them lost their lives. 11 years have passed since the tragedy occurred but not one of the survivors would forget those few hours of their lives. 



In commemoration of its 11th year, the ‘Ocean Queen Express’ was restored to its original condition and the journey from Colombo Fort to Peraliya was repeated this year for the second time in honour of those who sacrificed their lives. A religious programme was organized in Peraliya where this unfortunate rail disaster took place, taking away the lives of over 1200 people in just an instance. 

Those souls who were fortunate enough to escape this horrific incident related their stories as it happened 11 years back. Once in Peraliya, a special programme was organized alongside the monument held in collaboration with the Peraliya temple, Adez and ITN network. The survivors, residents and the clergy paid floral tributes to the monument followed by an honorary tribute by the tri-forces and the police. 

In his opening remarks, Venerable Peraliya Wimala Nayake Thera said that the ocean should be treated well. “The ocean is a treasure to us, but we couldn’t treat it properly and we saw the result 11 years back. But we shouldn’t repeat this. 

Before the tsunami struck the island nobody has even heard of it. 11 years have passed and we are slowly adapting to a life after the tsunami but many things still need to be recovered.”


 

Horrific recollections

While the proceedings of the event were taking place, the Daily Mirror also took some time to speak to some survivors who were present there that day. Some spoke through tears and others simply couldn’t explain the situation whatsoever.

Ajith Sisira Kumara is one such survivor who had had a narrow escape that day. “I was employed at the Railway Security Service and travelled by train as usual. That day however the train stopped at Peraliya and usually when a train stops midway we assume that it is an accident. The train also moved back and I went forward assuming that there was a dead body. 

But when I went forward I realized that there was a lot of water on the tracks and the tracks weren’t visible. In no time the compartment got dismantled and moved away from the rest.  I was clueless as to what was going to happen but I had faith in myself and wanted to help the people in the compartment to escape. Within another 10-15 minutes I saw another gigantic wave coming inland. It was the height of these coconut trees and it looked as if someone was drawing a huge curtain towards us. Before it got any closer I hurriedly climbed a coconut tree and clung on to it with all the might. As soon as it struck the compartment was thrown several kilometres further away. Once the wave disappeared I looked around to see the muddy terrain for any casualties and all I could see were dead bodies, property, vehicles and everything floating on water. 

Thereafter I wanted to call home and see if my wife and child were safe and luckily nothing has happened to them. But whenever I hear a loud noise I panic because I can still feel the fear.”




A Mahaduwage recalls the incident as if it happened yesterday. “The engine of this train was elsewhere and it was just 100 feet away from my home. I am so happy that none of my family members were affected by the tragedy. However I remember many people asking for help. I couldn’t leave my family because my wife is succumbed to the wheelchair and there was water inside my house too. I remember women carrying their newborns to safe places, people crying and it was hell on Earth.”

Jayasena De Silva misses five of his loved ones who were washed away to the wave. “My mother, wife, brother, sister and uncle lost their lives to the tsunami. There were boats on the road and it was like hell for me. I was helpless. I was walking towards Galle from Ambalangoda when I heard that the sea has crept inwards. I somehow wanted to reach home but couldn’t. Everywhere I looked at, I only saw dead bodies. 11 years have passed and it has been very difficult for me to get over this incident.”

R Indrani is a resident in Pelmadulla, but things have been quite unfortunate for her as well. “I came with my family to Galle that day because my children insisted that they go and have fun at the beach with some of their friends. So we all were planning to go to the beach when this rough tide washed away our houses and loved ones. We couldn’t do much because everything was gone in an instance. I am still in shock and will never be able to get over this incident in my life.” 



Pics by Pradeep Pathirana