By: Isuru Parakrama
December 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka stands on the cusp of December 26, 2025, and the nation pauses to remember one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history. Twenty-one years have passed since the Indian Ocean Tsunami struck with merciless force, leaving behind a trail of destruction, sorrow, and enduring memories.
For Sri Lankans, the tragedy is not just a historical event; it is a collective wound that continues to shape the way we view resilience, community, and the fragility of life.
The morning of 26 December 2004 began like any other, but by mid-morning, the country was engulfed by a calamity unlike anything witnessed in living memory. The tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, swept across the eastern and southern coasts of the island with astonishing speed and ferocity.
Entire villages were engulfed, roads vanished, homes were reduced to rubble, and thousands of lives were lost in moments. In Sri Lanka alone, over 35,000 people perished, and countless others were left injured, displaced, or traumatised.
For many, the tsunami was more than a natural disaster; it was a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictable power and the vulnerability of human existence. The emotional scars left on survivors are deep and enduring. Families were shattered, livelihoods destroyed, and communities scattered. Yet, amidst the horror, the spirit of Sri Lanka’s people shone through.
The immediate response from local communities, alongside national and international relief efforts, highlighted an unwavering resolve to save lives, rebuild, and heal. Strangers became neighbours overnight, and the nation came together in an unprecedented display of solidarity.
In the years following the tsunami, Sri Lanka has witnessed remarkable recovery and resilience. Coastal towns have been rebuilt, disaster warning systems strengthened, and awareness campaigns have educated communities about preparedness. Memorials across the island stand as solemn reminders of those we lost, and annual commemorations ensure that the memory of the tragedy remains etched in the nation’s consciousness. The lessons learned continue to inform policies and safeguard lives against future catastrophes, yet the human cost remains an indelible part of our collective history.
As we observe the 21st anniversary, there is a profound sense of reflection. We mourn not only the lives lost but also the innocence of a time before nature’s fury redefined our shores. We honour the courage of survivors and rescuers who faced insurmountable challenges with determination and compassion. Above all, we reaffirm the value of community, preparedness, and empathy in a world where disasters can strike without warning.
The tsunami may have reshaped the geography of Sri Lanka’s coastlines, but it also reshaped the hearts of its people. On this day of remembrance, we bow in respect for those who perished, extend our support to those who continue to live with loss, and celebrate the enduring resilience that defines the soul of Sri Lanka.
Remembering the Waves That Changed a Nation: 21 Years Since the Tsunami
COPF Chairman Urges President to Appoint Auditor General Amid Cyclone Ditwah Recovery
Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman, MP Harsha de Silva, has appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seeking to resolve the serious matter of Sri Lanka operating without the constitutionally mandated head of the National Audit Office.
In a 06-point letter to the President, MP de Silva said an Auditor General must be appointed urgently in the backdrop of the current disaster situation in Sri Lanka.
“Given the large number of transactions taking place now with Cyclone Ditwah reconstruction and the yet to be legally established Rebuilding SriLanka Fund, an Auditor General must be appointed urgently,” he pointed out in a statement on ‘X’.
Turkey Arrests Over 100 Suspected ISIS Members Ahead of Christmas and New Year
Turkish authorities have arrested more than 100 suspected members of the Islamic State (ISIS) who were believed to be planning attacks during the Christmas and New Year festive season, officials said on Thursday.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that intelligence indicated ISIS operatives were preparing to target non-Muslim communities during Christian celebrations in Turkey. Acting on this information, police carried out coordinated raids across Istanbul, arresting 115 suspects out of 137 identified individuals. Firearms and ammunition were also seized during the operations.
Prosecutors said several of those detained were already wanted on terrorism-related charges at both national and international levels.
The arrests follow a recent intelligence-led operation near the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, where Turkish authorities captured a Turkish national accused of holding a senior position within ISIS. The suspect, identified as Mehmet Goren, is alleged to have been involved in planning suicide attacks against civilians in Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of Europe.
According to intelligence officials, Goren had travelled from Turkey to the border region, where he reportedly operated in ISIS camps and rose through the group’s ranks.
Turkey has been repeatedly targeted by ISIS in past years. In January 2024, a gun attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul during Sunday Mass left one person dead. Earlier, an ISIS gunman killed 39 people celebrating New Year’s Day at a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017.
Between 2015 and 2017, ISIS carried out several deadly attacks in Turkey, including bombings at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport and in Diyarbakır, as well as a suicide attack on a peace rally in Ankara in October 2015 that killed at least 102 people, the deadliest terrorist attack in the country’s history.
Turkish authorities say intelligence gathering and counterterrorism operations against ISIS networks, both domestically and internationally, have been significantly intensified in recent years to prevent further attacks.
Sri Lanka Marks National Safety Day with Main Commemoration at Peraliya Tsunami Memorial
Sri Lanka is observing National Safety Day today (December 26) with the main national-level commemoration taking place from 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle.
As part of the observances, a two-minute silence will be held island-wide from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m. to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and other natural disasters.
The devastating tsunami of 2004 claimed the lives of more than 35,000 people in Sri Lanka, while over 5,000 individuals are still reported missing. The disaster also caused widespread destruction, with property losses amounting to billions of rupees.
Under Cabinet Paper No. 15/1975/715/001-1 of 2005, December 26 was officially declared National Safety Day, and it has been commemorated annually since 2005.
National Safety Day events were held continuously at national level from 2005 to 2014, with the participation of political leaders and the general public, in remembrance of those who perished in the tsunami and other disasters that have affected the country.
Sri Lanka Marks 21st Anniversary of 2004 Tsunami with Island-Wide Commemorations
Sri Lanka will mark the 21st anniversary of the 2004 Tsunami today (December 26) with an island-wide two-minute silence from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m., in observance of National Safety Day, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) announced.
The national-level commemoration ceremony will be held in front of the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial Statue in Galle, while a series of multi-religious remembrance programmes will take place across districts island-wide.
According to the DMC, this year’s observances will honour not only those who perished in the 2004 tsunami, but also victims of other natural disasters that have affected Sri Lanka over the years.
On December 26, 2004, a powerful undersea megathrust earthquake measuring 9.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Within minutes, massive waves—some reaching heights of nearly 100 feet—devastated coastal regions across the Indian Ocean.
The tsunami claimed more than 230,000 lives across over 10 countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives, Myanmar, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indonesia’s Banda Aceh, closest to the epicentre, suffered the heaviest toll, with over 100,000 fatalities.
Sri Lanka was among the worst-affected nations, with more than 40,000 people killed and widespread destruction along its coastline. Thousands were left homeless as waves pushed debris several kilometres inland, reducing homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods to rubble.
Since 2005, December 26 has been designated as National Safety Day in Sri Lanka, with annual commemorations held to remember those lost to the tsunami and other natural disasters, while reinforcing awareness on disaster preparedness and resilience.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 26 DECEMBER 2025
A few showers may occur in Northern, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Galle, Matara and Kaluthara districts after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places.
Fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slopes of the central hills, Northern province and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Badulla, Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Hundreds Arrested in Nationwide Police Crackdown on Crime and Traffic Offences
December 25, Colombo (LNW): Police carried out a major island-wide operation yesterday (24), resulting in the arrest of 597 individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities, illicit alcohol, and drug-related offences. Authorities said the initiative formed part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal activity and improve public safety.
During the operation, 29,727 people were stopped and checked, according to the Police Media Division. Among those detained, 25 were directly linked to serious criminal cases, while 354 had outstanding arrest warrants.
Traffic enforcement also featured prominently, with 136 drivers caught under the influence of alcohol, 36 charged for reckless driving, and an additional 4,795 individuals cited for a variety of other traffic violations.
Police officials stated that such nationwide operations are conducted regularly to target offenders involved in small, medium, and large-scale drug trafficking, criminal networks, and the illegal possession of firearms, reinforcing law and order across the country.
Government Explores Strengthening Drug Quality Testing Programmes
December 25, Colombo (LNW): A high-level discussion convened under the guidance of Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has explored ways to expand and improve the monitoring of drug quality across the country. The meeting focused on developing more structured and systematic approaches to ensure medicines meet safety and efficacy standards.
Officials present included the Director General of Health Services, the Chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), representatives from the Ministry of Health, and delegates from the Ministry of Science and Technology. Participants highlighted the need for closer coordination between institutions involved in laboratory testing, increasing the scale of quality assessments, and addressing critical concerns identified in NMRA reports.
Minister Jayatissa noted that relying solely on the NMRA laboratory for drug testing has limitations, underlining the importance of creating a broader, more formal programme to enhance quality control in the longer term. He also suggested that, in the interim, other government facilities could be involved in testing to avoid delays and ensure continuous monitoring.
The Minister further stressed that the programme should prioritise medicines with known issues to prevent interruptions in supply and maintain public confidence in pharmaceutical products.
National Safety Day to Be Marked with Ceremony and Nationwide Silence
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.
Extra Buses and Trains Rolled Out to Ease Festive Travel Rush
December 25, Colombo (LNW): Public transport authorities have stepped up services across the country today to accommodate the surge of passengers travelling to their hometowns for the festive season. The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) says a special transport plan is in effect to minimise congestion and ensure smoother journeys.
SLTB Chief Operations Officer Sankha Weerasuriya stated that 75 additional bus services have been introduced on key routes, particularly those linking major cities with outlying districts. He noted that the enhanced bus schedule will remain in place until the 27th of this month to cater to the extended holiday travel period.
Supporting these efforts, National Transport Commission Director General Nilan Miranda said close to 100 private buses have also been authorised to operate special services, easing pressure on regular timetables and reducing overcrowding.
Rail passengers are likewise set to benefit, with Railway Operations Officer Asanka Samarasinghe confirming that extra train services are running today as part of the festive travel arrangements. Authorities have urged commuters to plan ahead and make use of the additional services made available during this busy period.