COLOMBO: On the 20th anniversary of the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami, Sri Lankans reflect on both the devastation it wrought and the enduring spirit of resilience within the nation. Dec. 26, 2004, marked one of history's most potent natural disasters, claiming over 35,000 lives and displacing half a million people as it swept across the island nation.
The tsunami, triggered by a powerful 9.1 magnitude earthquake, left the coastal areas of Sri Lanka devastated. It obliterated over 100,000 homes across two-thirds of the coastline. Survivors, like 62-year-old Hameeda Umma, are still awaiting proper housing two decades later. "We are hoping to get the house. The authorities are not giving us the house yet. Even after 20 years, they have not provided the house. During those 20 years, my children suffered a lot. We are still like this today," she lamented.
Efforts to provide housing to the displaced populace after the tsunami faced significant bureaucratic hurdles. Siraj Mashoor, a member of the Akkaraipattu Municipal Council, highlighted the importance of community involvement and cultural awareness during development projects: "When you go to an area and if you are going to start a project, you should understand the culture, the diversity, and the nature of the area.” He emphasized the need for transparency and interaction, key components often neglected.
Meanwhile, there were some success stories amid the struggles. Thuiyahandi Champa Samanmali, another tsunami survivor, celebrated her new home built with Australian aid. "My family and I received this house. At the time, it was like we received a palace because before then, we were living in other people’s homes," she shared, reflecting the gratitude of beneficiaries amid the hardship experienced.
Another area where recovery has been excruciated is Yala National Park, located on Sri Lanka's southeast coast. On the fateful day of December 26, 2004, the park was drastically altered by the waves. Priyantha (Pusa) Hettiarachige, a local safari guide, recalled how on the morning of the disaster, he cut his tour short for a sick guest, which inadvertently saved his life. "Over 250 tourists, locals, and guides around Yala National Park lost their lives,” he recounted.
Despite the tragedy, Yala has rebounded and now attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Madu Mahamarakkalage, co-owner of the nearby Wild Lotus villa, noted the emotional toll the reopening of the park took on guides who had lost friends. “Even after it was reopened, guides didn’t want to go in because everyone knew someone who died and it brought back memories,” he stated.
The tsunami not only shattered lives but had lasting economic repercussions, with estimates of $250 million lost from the tourism sector alone. Poornaka Delpachitra, Intrepid's general manager for Sri Lanka, acknowledged the struggles but emphasized the nation’s resilience. "Twenty years on, tourism in Sri Lanka is growing like never before," he noted, highlighting the increase in bookings and international visitor interest.
Reflecting on the recovery from adversity, Sam Clark, co-founder of Experience Travel Group, described how the initial hours after the tsunami led to organized relief efforts using their travel agency as a platform. “We went back and forth many times with lorry loads of supplies,” he recounted, sharing the collaborative work between NGOs and the local communities.
Even as the memories of the tsunami remain bittersweet for many, there is hope for the future. Communities have rebuilt, grief has started to transform, and Sri Lanka has resumed its path of growth. Visitors are returning, enabling local economies to flourish again.
"Sri Lanka prides itself on being a resilient country. We’ve faced challenges and made it through the other side," declared Delpachitra, reflecting the collective spirit garnered over two decades. The indelible scars of the tsunami continue to exist, but the island looks to the future with positivity and determination.
This anniversary serves as not just a solemn reflection on loss, but also as an opportunity to honor the strength of those who endured and rebuilt, committed to moving forward, one step at a time.
