TikaWeeks #02/2025: Sri Lanka update
Posted by John on 8th January 2025
On 26 December 2004, an unprecedented tidal wave (tsunami) generated by a 9.1 magnitude submarine earthquake in the Indian Ocean struck the coastline of 18 countries from Africa to Australia claiming over 228,000 lives and displacing 1.7 million people. In Sri Lanka alone, more then 46,000 people were killed and 500,000 displaced. Thankfully, Pathi and I were up in the Cultural Triangle well away from the tsunami at the time, but we appreciated first-hand the psychological impact of this catastrophe as locals and tourists made their way to Kandy, hearing harrowing accounts of what people had seen and experienced.
Twenty years on, the island and its people have made an amazing recovery, but the scars are still there. On a positive note, the tsunami encouraged coastal communities to engage with ‘learn to swim’ programmes set up after the disaster. Although surrounded by the sea, Sri Lanka is culturally a non-swimming nation, particularly amongst women. Since around 80% of those who drowned were women and children, swimming programmes targeted at women have had great benefits for the local community, emphasising that if a mother could swim, she would ensure her children could swim too. Today, there are many clubs, institutions and charities involved in encouraging and teaching local women to swim, surf and enjoy the ocean, which is the lifeblood of the island.
While in Sri Lanka, you may like to visit the Community Tsunami Education Center and Museum in Hikkaduwa on the island’s southwest coast, which aims to educate visitors about the tsunami and preserve the memory of those who lost their lives. The tragic event’s timeline is described through photos and newspaper features, and most visitors find the straightforward and honest display very moving.
Categories: News, Sightseeing, Sri Lanka
« All articles
