On 26 December 2004, Sri Lanka became a victim of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. It caused widespread destruction around the coastal belts of countries close to Indonesia, where the earthquake which triggered the tidal wave took place. In Sri Lanka, more than 35,000 people lost their lives and thousands were left homeless. This disaster brought in its wake, one of the largest humanitarian responses in recent history.
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
When the devastating tsunami waves struck the coastal state of Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004, the island’s 21 million inhabitants were ill prepared. For a country that had not faced a natural disaster of such magnitude in living memory, the ferocity of the disaster brought to sharp focus its lack of disaster preparedness.
The waves struck over 1,000 km—nearly two-thirds of the island nation’s coastline in 13 districts—and the biggest impact was faced by the northern, eastern and southern coasts, as well as parts of the north-western coast. The sea water that penetrated the island drained away in about 30 minutes, but left in its wake a trail of destruction. Over 35,000 lives were devoured by the waves, which also caused massive destruction of infrastructure and property. More than half a million were displaced.
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