Tsunami disaster commemorated

• Floral tributes were placed at the Tsunami memorial 

By D. G.Sugathapla and Hemantha De Silva 

The Tsunami disaster in December 2004 that claimed more than 30,000 lives and left thousands injured was commemorated last morning at the Tsunami memorial in Pereliya in Hikkaduwa where the biggest train accident in history took place.  

Thousands of passengers on board the Matara bound express which was overturned by the trembling tsunami waves were among the victims.  

State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon was the chief guest of the commemoration.   
Governor, Southern Province Willie Gamage, District Secretary Shantha Weerasinghe, Director of the District Disaster Management Centre Mgr. Gen. Sudattta Ranasinghe were among the distinguished invitees.    The State Minister of Defence and other distinguished invitees and the relatives of the tsunami victims placed floral tributes at the Tsunami memorial.  

General Manager, Railways N.K. Indigolla and several senior officials of the department arrived by Matara bound train to attend the ceremony. They paid floral tributes at the memorial.  
Maha Sangha and the religious dignitaries administered religious observances.