Ten years after the Tsunami in Sri Lanka- Zita Subasinghe Perera

We all know that Sri Lanka was hit by a tsunami triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra on December 26, 2004. The tsunami was one of the worst disasters ever recorded in Sri Lankan history. The tsunami left tens of thousands dead, many more homeless and caused widespread chaos throughout the island. In addition to the human impacts, the tsunami had widespread effects on Sri Lanka's environment and ecosystems.

Civilian casualties in Sri Lanka were second only to those in Indonesia. Reports vary on the number of deaths but estimates range from 40,000 to 60,000. At leats 800,000 or more people living on the coasts of Sri Lanka have been directly affected. The eastern shores of Sri Lanka faced the hardest impact since they were facing the epicentre of the earthquake. The south-western shores were hit later, but the death toll was just as severe. The south-western shores are a hotspot for tourists as well as the fishing economy. Tourism and fishing industries created high population densities along the coast.

The International response was amazing and thanks to so many people and organisations, much has been achieved to repair the immense damage.

This is an article I published in 2005 in the local press, and in the hospital newsletter and I wanted to share it with my colleagues as we look back after 10 years. I am aware that some of you were more directly affected and I have no intention of rekindling those awful memories, but it would be good to know what my colleagues did in the way of helping Tsunami victims because I know that you did.

Zita