Dec 26, Colombo: Sri Lankans throughout the country conducted religious ceremonies today to mark the anniversary of the tsunami that claimed 35,000 lives two years ago.

The nation observed two minutes of silence to remember those killed in the tsunami and other natural disasters. The main national ceremony was held in the port city of Galle, 117 km south of Colombo and one of the hardest-hit towns in the December 26, 2004, tragedy that left 226,000 people dead or missing in 12 Indian Ocean countries.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa joined the two minutes of silence at 9:25 AM, the time when the first wave struck, to remember the victims before starting a meeting of the Economic Council at Temple Trees. President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and senior government officers were also present.

Traffic stopped across the country to observe the silence. Sri Lanka declared today a National Safety Day to raise awareness of measures to take in the event of emergencies.

The first of 100 coastal warning towers was erected today at Hikkaduwa along the southwestern coast.

President Rajapaksa was also to unveil a giant Buddha statue at Peraliya, where 1000 people were killed when the tsunami waves struck a train in the world's worst railway disaster.

(Pix: Sudath Silva) City Bank Card, Chase low rate loan, American Express