December 25, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will observe National Safety Day tomorrow with the main state commemoration taking place at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle, scheduled from 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
The event will bring together officials, community representatives and members of the public to reflect on the importance of disaster awareness and preparedness.
As part of the remembrance, a two-minute silence will be observed across the island from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m., honouring the victims of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as well as those who lost their lives in other natural and man-made disasters over the years.
The tsunami of December 2004 remains one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history, claiming more than 35,000 lives, leaving over 5,000 people unaccounted for, and causing widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, with losses running into billions of rupees.
In recognition of the tragedy and the need to strengthen national resilience, December 26 was formally designated as National Safety Day through a Cabinet decision in 2005, and the day has been observed annually since then.
Large-scale national commemorations were held continuously from 2005 to 2014, drawing participation from political leaders, public institutions and citizens, reinforcing a collective commitment to remembrance, safety and disaster risk reduction.
